Thread: N.C. 45 Gang Suspects Arrested In Local ICE Operation

45 Gang Suspects Arrested In Local ICE Operation

Posted: 2:31 pm EST March 2, 2011
Updated: 6:18 pm EST March 2, 2011

CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- A national law enforcement operation led to the arrests of 45 suspected gang members and affiliates in and around Charlotte.

The arrests were part of Project Southern Tempest, which was led by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations, with assistance from the North Carolina Alcohol Law Enforcement, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department, Gastonia Police Department and Gaston County Police Department.

"Project Southern Tempest is the largest ever ICE-led gang enforcement operation targeting gangs with ties to drug trafficking organizations," said ICE Director John Morton. "Through gang enforcement operations like Project Southern Tempest and Project Big Freeze last year, ICE will continue to disrupt and dismantle these transnational gangs and rid our streets not only of drug dealers, but the violence associated with the drug trade."

Of the 45 arrested in the Charlotte area, 16 were living in Charlotte and 29 were living in Gastonia. The gang affiliations included the Asian Boys Crips, Bloods, Collateral, CRIPS, Surenos and Trap Boys, investigators said.

On Tuesday, ICE Homeland Security Investigations announced the nationwide arrests of 678 suspected gang members and associates from 133 gangs.

Charlotte is one of eight cities in the United States with an ICE Homeland Security Investigations Operation Community Shield Task Force, in which local special agents partner with federal, state, local and foreign anti-gang efforts.

Of the 678 gang members or associates arrested: they hailed from 133 different gangs; 447 were charged with criminal offenses; 231 were administrative arrests; 322 had violent criminal histories; and 421 were foreign nationals.

To report suspicious activity, call ICE's 24-hour toll-free hotline at 866-DHS-2-ICE or click here.

http://www.wsoctv.com/news/27055028/detail.html

I'm surprised Obama isn't suing ICE for "racially profiling"! (oops! don't want to jinx it)!