U.S. Marshals Capital Area Regional Fugitive Task Force Celebrates 20th Anniversary with Operation Nazare Wave

Washington, DC – A multiagency operation launched in mid-April to combat cross-jurisdictional violence that negatively impacts the communities within the National Capital Region has resulted in the arrest of 264 fugitives and the recovery of 21 firearms, 5.7 kg narcotics, and $254,890 in illicit U.S. currency.

Operation Nazare Wave will continue throughout the summer months and is being touted as one of many examples of the effectiveness of a well-supported multi-agency fugitive task force.

The Capital Area Regional Fugitive Task Force (CARFTF) was formed in June 2004. Spanning five federal districts and composed of a dedicated staff of U.S. Marshals Service (USMS) criminal investigators and specially deputized task force officers, augmented by personnel from the District of Columbia, D.C. Superior Court, Eastern Virginia, Maryland and Western Virginia, the CARFTF is charged with enhancing public safety and reducing violent crime within the National Capital Region, greater DC, Maryland and Virginia communities through the investigation and apprehension of dangerous fugitives. Working in close collaboration with the five district U.S. Marshals and local, state, and federal partners, CARFTF personnel have had a substantial and significant impact since the task force’s inception 20 years ago.

CARFTF is a Congressionally funded multi-agency task force whose mission is to focus resources and efforts on the reduction of violence within the National Capital Region through the identification, investigation, and apprehension of fugitives wanted for egregious crimes against the community, while ensuring the application of equal Justice, Integrity, and Service for all. Since June 2004, the task force has investigated and apprehended over 103,000 fugitives, including over 6,300 wanted for murder.  

“The men and women of the task force work tirelessly, sacrificing many nights and weekends, assisting our partners with the often-dangerous task of investigating and apprehending violent fugitives. Their dedication to the USMS mission, to the communities we serve, and the resulting positive impact of their efforts are immeasurable,” said Chief Inspector Don Snider, CARFTF Commander.   

“We can only have this level of high impact through the supportive leadership of our partners in DC, Maryland, and Virginia. The commitment to safer communities is deeply apparent. My sincere gratitude goes out to our U.S. Marshals, police chiefs, sheriffs, state police colonels, and federal agency leaders. The CARFTF is the ultimate team environment, and I am grateful for the effective communication and collaboration that we experience across all our partnerships.”

Agencies participating in Operation Nazare Wave include:

U.S. Marshals Service; Metropolitan Police Department; U.S. Attorney’s Office; Metro Transit Police Department; U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Homeland Security Investigations; ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations; Diplomatic Security Service; Court Services and Offender Supervision Agency; Naval Criminal Investigative Service; U.S. Postal Inspection Service; DC Department of Corrections; Prince George’s County Sheriff’s Office; Prince George’s County Police Department; Montgomery County Police Department; Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office; Maryland State Police; Charles County Sheriff’s Office; Hyattsville Police Department; Maryland Department of Public Safety; Howard County Police Department; Forest Heights Police Department; Fairfax County Police Department; City of Fairfax Police Department; Prince William County Police Department; Alexandria Police Department; Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office; Stafford County Sheriff’s Office; Virginia State Police; City of Dumfries Police Department.