NEW YORK, United States (CMC) — The United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency says an ex-Jamaican police officer wanted on charges of robbery, attempted murder and wounding with intent in his home country has been arrested in New York.

ICE said that its Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) deportation officers, assisted by New York Special Response Team (SRT) operators, arrested Mwando Lloyd Pryce, 31, last month.

Pryce was admitted to the US legally with a non-immigrant visa in August 2009, with authorisation to remain in the United States until February 7, 2010, ICE said, adding that Pryce failed to depart the United States as required.

ICE said that, in August 2015, Interpol issued a Red Notice for Pryce, “for crimes committed while he was a police constable in Jamaica”.

“Even with the difficulties of working in a ‘sanctuary’ city, ICE will not allow violent criminals to seek refuge from prosecution within our borders,” said Thomas R Decker, field office director for ERO New York.

“This arrest is another example of ERO’s dedication to finding these criminals and removing them from our city,” he said, noting that “Pryce will soon have to answer to charges in his home country.”

In August ICE said agents at ERO headquarters, in Washington DC advised their counterparts in New York that Pryce may be living in the New York City metropolitan area.

Last month ICE said Pryce was arrested by ERO deportation officers in Bronx, New York, on immigration charges and was issued a “Notice to Appear” before an immigration judge “and is currently in ICE custody pending removal proceedings”.