Thread: 26 gang members arrested in N.C.

I.C.E. News Release

April 6, 2010

26 gang members, associates and others arrested following 4-day targeted operation by ICE, Henderson SO and Buncombe SO

Among those arrested were members of Surenos, Bloods, M Zone Rydas and Sugar Loaf Clique 31

ASHEVILLE, N.C. - Gang members, associates and other law violators were arrested here following a four-day targeted multi-agency law enforcement effort which culminated Sunday between U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), the Henderson County Sheriff's Office (HCSO) and the Buncombe County Sheriff's Office (BCSO).

Twenty-six individuals were arrested as a result of this effort. Of those arrested, 19 face state criminal charges and seven face immigration administrative charges. The criminal charges range between violent assault offenses which include stabbing incidents to narcotics violations. ICE agents also seized marijuana and cocaine.

Those arrested, which included U.S. citizens, were from various countries including Mexico, El Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras. Some were gang members or associates of the Surenos, Bloods, M Zone Rydas and Sugar Loaf Clique 31.

The arrests occurred at various locations to include Oriental Pavilion, a nightclub known as a gang hangout, which was operating illegally.

"Operations such as these speak to the outstanding law enforcement partnerships here in North Carolina," said Assistant Special Agent in Charge of the ICE Office of Investigation in North Carolina Delbert Richburg. "I commend both the Henderson and Buncombe County Sheriffs' for their dedication to working with ICE in an effort to protect our law abiding citizens."

Henderson County Sheriff Davis said, "The location where most of the suspects were arrested was a well-known haven for active gang members. Gang recruiting and criminal activity for the entire region was in full view for anyone who attended this Asheville club. This joint operation with ICE, Buncombe and Henderson County Sheriffs' Offices is precisely what this area needs to break up and halt gang activity."

"Partnerships such as the Western North Carolina Gang Task Force have enabled law enforcement to combine resources and have a very positive effect on the safety and security of our communities," said Buncombe County Sheriff Van Duncan. "Working with local agencies as well as ICE on this problem has made a significant impact on gang activity in Asheville and Buncombe County."

The North Carolina Alcohol Law Enforcement (ALE), the North Carolina State Probation and the North Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles played a critical law enforcement role in this targeted operation.

ICE's Gang Unit identifies violent street gangs and develops intelligence on their membership, associates, criminal activities and international movements to deter, disrupt and dismantle gang operations by tracing and seizing cash, weapons and other assets derived from criminal activities.

Operation Community Shield partners with existing federal, state and local anti-gang efforts to share intelligence on gang organizations and their leadership, share resources and combine legal authorities to arrest, prosecute, imprison and/or deport transnational gang members.

Since inception in 2005 to date, ICE agents working in conjunction with federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies nationwide have arrested more than 16,700 street gang members and associates linked to 900 different gangs. Of those arrested, 206 were gang leaders; 196 have been charged criminally, and 9,546 have been charged with immigration violations and processed for removal. Through this initiative, ICE has also seized 1,060 firearms.

To report suspicious activity, call ICE's 24-hour toll-free hotline at: 1-866-347-2423 or visit www.ice.gov.

-- ICE --

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is the largest investigative arm of the Department of Homeland Security.

ICE comprises four integrated divisions that form a 21st century law enforcement agency with broad responsibilities for a number of key homeland security priorities. For more information, visit www.ICE.gov. To report suspicious activity, call 1-866-347-2423.

Last Modified: Tuesday, April 6, 2010
U.S. Department of Homeland Security

http://www.ice.gov/pi/nr/1004/100406asheville.htm

Glad to see them rounding up many and making the effort, even though Obama's administation would rather look the other way and just go after "other" groups (is that code workd for something, yes, it is).

We all have to keep pushing them to go after the criminals who are here illegally, and then those who are criminally here, stealing jobs and benefits from the American people.

http://www.citizen-times.com/article/20 ... ent-in-Avl

ICE targets weekend dance party in Asheville
Agents say operation was aimed at gang members

By Josh Boatwright • April 6, 2010

ASHEVILLE — Agents with Immigration and Customs Enforcement arrested several people at an Asheville dance party over the weekend during a citywide operation aimed at gang members.

ICE spokeswoman Barbara Gonzalez said the operation, conducted with the help of the Henderson County Sheriff’s Office and other local and state agencies, targeted known criminals who were a danger to the community.

But patrons of the dance event held after hours at the Oriental Pavilion restaurant in the Westgate Shopping Center said federal agents detained people with no gang connections.

“ICE is focused on smart, effective immigration enforcement that prioritizes efforts first on those dangerous criminal aliens who pose the greatest risk to the security of our community, not sweeps or raids to target undocumented immigrants indiscriminately,â€