MANILA, Philippines — The Bureau of Immigration (BI) arrested and deported an American fugitive wanted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) for drug trafficking in the United States. Immigration Commissioner Ricardo David Jr. Friday said Paul John Zambuto, 35, was sent back to the US last week following the issuance of a summary deportation order by the BI Board of Commissioners.
David said the board also ordered Zambuto’s inclusion in the immigration blacklist for being an undesirable, overstaying and undocumented alien. BI fugitive search unit head Uso Dan Salasim said Zambuto was nabbed at his unit at the Paseo Parkview condominium along Valero St., Makati City on Nov. 17.
Since 2007, Zambuto has been on the wanted list of the FBI as the fugitive is a subject of arrest warrants issued by courts in Arizona and Florida. The US embassy informed the BI that on Aug. 2, 2007, a superior court in Maricopa County, Arizona issued a warrant against Zambuto for violating the conditions of his probation. He was previously convicted by the court on charges of possession of dangerous drugs.
Another warrant was issued against Zambuto by judicial circuit court in Palm Beach County, Florida where he was charged with trafficking and possession of cocaine.
Zambuto has been illegally staying in the country for more than four years as the State Department canceled his US passport even before he arrived in Manila on Nov. 12, 2007. Investigation showed that the American never bothered to extend his stay as a tourist since his arrival.
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