Thread: More than 600 snagged in ICE roundup

US Authorities Announce Major Blow to Latino Gangs

Published April 26, 2012

Chicago – U.S. authorities arrested 792 people belonging to 28 transnational gangs dedicated to human trafficking, weapons and drug distribution in an operation in 150 cities in the United States and Honduras.

"Project Nefarious" was launched in February and resulted in arrests carried out between April 9-21, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement said in a statement.

The arrested people come from 33 countries in Central and South America, Europe, Asia, Africa and the Caribbean. Of the total, 720 are men and the rest are women.

"The goal of the project is to identify, locate, arrest, process and remove gang members and people associated with human, weapons and drug trafficking," James Dinkins, ICE's executive associate director of Homeland Security Investigations, said.

The transnational gangs, ICE says, have a significant number of foreign members and are frequently involved in crimes along the border with Mexico that also include the illegal transfer of large sums of money and smuggling other types of contraband.

According to the authorities, the criminal activities carried out by members in one country are planned, directed and controlled by gang leaders in another country who are constantly moving and adapting to new areas.

And like any street gang, these bands also are prone to violence and their members commit robberies, extortion, assaults, rapes and murders.

In enumerating the results of Operation Community Shield, which since 2005 has led to the arrests of more than 25,000 gang members with criminal records, ICE emphasized the threat from the transnational gangs to public safety in the United States.

In Chicago, for example, the Latin Kings have some 18,000 members and have been operating for about 30 years, dividing the city and suburbs with other dangerous groups like the Imperial Gangsters, Spanish Gangster Disciples, Latin Blood, The Thugs, Latin Counts and Sureños 13.

Mara Salvatrucha, known as MS-13, and Mara 18 are mentioned as the main transnational gangs due to their links with Mexico and Central America, as well as their financial goals and political power.

A report by the Government Accountability Office, the investigative arm of Congress, confirmed that these gangs participate in criminal activities normally associated with better organized and more sophisticated criminal groups.

US Authorities Announce Major Blow to Latino Gangs | Fox News Latino

Latino Gang Members Arrested in 150 U.S. Cities

Washington, Apr 26 (Prensa Latina)

The U.S. Bureau of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) captured 792 members of 28 international gangs engaged in human trafficking, weapons and narcotics distribution, following an operation carried out in 150 American cities.

Those arrested come from 33 countries in Central and South America, Europe, Asia, Africa and the Caribbean, of which 720 are men and 72 women.

A statement issued by the ICE office in Chicago gave details about the Nefarious project, which became operational since last February and ended with those arrests in recent days.

James Dinkins, associate director for ICE, said the project's goal is to identify, locate, arrest, prosecute and remove gang members and people associated with human, weapons and drugs trafficking.

Those arrested include members of gangs Mara Salvatrucha (MS-13 and M-1, Mexikanemi, Mexican Mafia and Hermanos Pistoleros Latinos de Laredo.

The main crimes associated with the arrests are rape, indecent exposure to minors and adults, Mafia association, drug trafficking and violations of firearms ownership.

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Prensa Latina News Agency - Latino Gang Members Arrested in 150 U.S. Cities

San Diego: 25 arrested in nationwide immigration sweep

1 hour ago • By EDWARD SIFUENTES esifuentes@nctimes.com

Immigration authorities arrested 25 people in San Diego County as part of a nationwide operation targeting criminal gangs that netted 637 gang members and associates, according to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

The operation, called Project Nefarious, was conducted in 150 U.S. cities, including Vista, San Diego, Calexico and San Ysidro, and in Honduras, federal officials said.

Of the people arrested in San Diego County, nine are facing criminal prosecution for federal or state crimes ranging from illegal re-entry after deportation to document fraud and battery, officials said. They include people from South Korea, Somalia and Mexico.

"Through gang enforcement surges like Project Nefarious, we are taking back our streets and making it clear that the scourge of fear and crime fostered by these ruthless organizations is coming to an end," said Derek Benner, special agent in charge of Homeland Security Investigations in San Diego, in a prepared statement.

Among those facing federal charges is a 37-year-old gang member in San Diego with an extensive criminal history, including a conviction for attempted murder in 1993 that resulted in a seven-year prison term, ICE officials said. He is being prosecuted for returning to the country illegally after being deported.

In addition to the criminal arrests, 16 people with gang ties were taken into custody on administrative immigration violations, officials said. They include people with criminal convictions for drugs and weapons violations.

Of the 637 gang members and associates arrested nationwide, 479 were charged with criminal offenses, 210 had violent criminal histories, 10 were wanted for murder, and 290 were citizens of other countries, officials said. Administrative immigration violations were the reason for 158 arrests.

Nationwide, authorities also seized 52 firearms, more than 5,400 pounds of marijuana, 6.6 pounds of cocaine, $201,437 in cash and 14 vehicles.

REGION: 25 arrested in nationwide immigration sweep : North County Times - Californian