Thread: 27 arrested in crackdown on SoCal street gang

27 arrested in crackdown on SoCal street gang

By The Associated Press
Wednesday, April 21, 2010 at 1:03 p.m.

ONTARIO, Calif. — Federal and local authorities have arrested dozens of members of an Ontario street gang on suspicion of drug and firearms violations.

The U.S. attorney's office said Wednesday police and federal agents arrested 27 members and associates of the Black Angels gang under a pair of federal indictments. Eight defendants named in the indictments are at large and 25 were already in custody.

Prosecutors say the Latino gang is affiliated with the prison-based Mexican Mafia.

Authorities say the gang recruited members from local high schools and smuggled drugs from Mexico. Ontario is in San Bernardino County, about 35 miles east of Los Angeles.

http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/2010 ... reet-gang/

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News Release [print friendly page]
Contact: SA Sarah Pullen
Public Information Officer
Number: 213-621-6827

Task Force Operation Leads to Arrest of 27 Linked to Ontario Street Gang with Allegiance to Mexican Mafia

Meth seized in Ontario. Money seized in Ontario.

APR 21 -- (LOS ANGELES) - A joint federal-state law enforcement operation this morning led to the arrest of 27 members and associates of an Ontario street gang who are named in federal racketeering and narcotics indictments that allege the gang has engaged in violent crimes and wide-ranging narcotics trafficking that helped fund the Mexican Mafia.

Today’s arrests are the result of two indictments returned by a federal grand jury in Los Angeles in recent weeks. The main indictment names a total of 50 defendants, 36 of whom are charged under the Racketeer Influenced Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act. In addition to the RICO charges, the indictment alleges violent crimes in aid of racketeering, conspiracies to distribute heroin and methamphetamine, and firearms violations. A second indictment charges another 10 defendants with narcotics trafficking violations.

Approximately a half of pound of meth seized. Vests seized.

Today’s operation targeting the Black Angels street gang involved approximately 400 law enforcement personnel. In addition to the 27 arrested this morning, 25 defendants were already in custody. Authorities are continuing to search for the additional eight defendants named in the indictment.

“Our citizens deserve to live without fear and intimidation inflicted by violent drug gangs,â€