Posted on 06/15/2005 7:27:19 PM PDT by Happy2BMe
ICE ARRESTS 14 MEMBERS & ASSOCIATES OF MS-13 GANG IN NEW JERSEY ON DRUG CONSPIRACY, DOCUMENT FRAUD, AND IMMIGRATION VIOLATIONS
-- Suspected leader of MS-13 clique in Elizabeth is among those arrested --
NEWARK, N.J. – Christopher J Christie, United States Attorney for the District of New Jersey, and Kyle Hutchins, Special Agent-in-Charge of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in Newark, today announced that 14 members and associates of the violent street gang Mara Salvatrucha (MS-13), including the gang’s suspected local leader, have been arrested in Elizabeth and Somerset, New Jersey.
Thirteen of the gang members were arrested on criminal complaints issued in the District of New Jersey. The criminal complaints charge ten of these individuals with conspiracy to distribute cocaine and crack cocaine, and three of these individuals with conspiracy to transfer false identification documents. The narcotics count carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison and a $1 million fine. The false document count carries a five-year maximum prison term and a $250,000 fine.
The remaining one individual was charged with administrative immigration violations, specifically Section 212 (a) of the Immigration and Nationality Act.
The arrests, which began at 4:00 AM this morning, involved more than 100 federal, state, and local law enforcement officers. They were the culmination of an eight-month investigation called “Operation Spiderweb,” which was conducted by the ICE Newark Special Agent-in-Charge Office, in conjunction with the U.S. Attorney’s Office, the New Jersey State Police, the Union County Prosecutor’s Office, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Middlesex County Sheriff’s Department, the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office, and the Plainfield Police Department.
The investigation targeted suspected criminal members and associates of the MS-13 street gang operating in Elizabeth area. The probe was significantly enhanced through the use of court-authorized wire intercepts on cellular phones utilized by members of the Elizabeth MS-13 gang
These wire intercepts helped investigators develop critical evidence against Melvin Murillo, a 27-year-old native of El Salvador suspected of being the leader of the Elizabeth MS-13 street gang, as well as several of his gang associates. ICE agents arrested Murillo this morning on a criminal charge of conspiracy to distribute narcotics. Murillo and the other criminal defendants are scheduled to have initial appearances today at 2:00 PM before U.S. Magistrate Judge Ronald J. Hedges.
During the arrests and searches this morning, law enforcement officers seized two handguns, a quantity of suspected cocaine, as well as fraudulent Social Security and immigration documents. One suspect was attempting to flush these documents down the toilet when agents arrived at his residence.
“Taking these individuals off the streets will make the neighborhoods of Elizabeth a safer place for everyone. ICE is especially grateful to its law enforcement partners in New Jersey for making this important operation possible,” said ICE Special Agent-in-Charge Hutchins. “Today’s case is the latest enforcement action in ICE’s national anti-gang initiative called ‘Operation Community Shield,’ which has resulted in the arrest of more than 300 MS-13 gang members nationwide since February.”
Operation Community Shield is a national ICE initiative designed to disrupt, dismantle and prosecute violent gang organizations by employing the full range of authorities and investigative tools available to ICE. Under the initiative, ICE employs its broad immigration authorities (both criminal and administrative) against gang members, as well as its customs authorities in targeting narcotics smuggling, money laundering, and in seeking the forfeiture of assets of gang members.
“MS-13 has a reputation in this country and abroad as being among the most vicious and remorseless street gangs, as they establish and protect territory and stake out their claims in various illegal ventures,” said U.S. Attorney Christie. “They are relatively new in New Jersey, and we intend to stamp them out before they flourish here. We can do that with this kind of cooperative effort between federal agents, state and local law enforcement and the New Jersey Attorney General’s Office.”
The individuals charged and arrested as part of today’s operation are:
# ICE #
“Taking these individuals off the streets will make the neighborhoods of Elizabeth a safer place for everyone. ICE is especially grateful to its law enforcement partners in New Jersey for making this important operation possible,” said ICE Special Agent-in-Charge Hutchins. “Today’s case is the latest enforcement action in ICE’s national anti-gang initiative called ‘Operation Community Shield,’ which has resulted in the arrest of more than 300 MS-13 gang members nationwide since February.”
==============================
“MS-13 has a reputation in this country and abroad as being among the most vicious and remorseless street gangs, as they establish and protect territory and stake out their claims in various illegal ventures,” said U.S. Attorney Christie.
Ping, my friends....check out those countries!!!!!
Oh my, I'm glad they got them
how about minute man type patrols from our own government and no guest amnesty program?
how about minute man type patrols from our own government and no guest amnesty program?
..............and no biometric junk!
Wouldn't it be great if we could return them by air? And I mean without a parachute.
The Minutemen showed that manpower can be applied effectively in a designated area.
Augment manpower with technology...as a force multiplier...and you have something. Implement a barrier to limit and direct the traffic....to increase efficiency. It can be done...its not rocket science.
The Minutemen proved that point.
They are only here doing jobs Americans won't do.
We need a Guest Worker Program.
A Discussion on FREEREPUBLIC.com regarding a May 15, 2005 LOS ANGELES TIMES article: "L.A. VIOLENCE CROSSES THE LINE" (Note: "trans-border Mara Salvatrucha (MS-13) street gang") (Read More...)
Note: The following text is an exact quote:
===
http://www.ice.gov/graphics/news/newsreleases/articles/050615westpalm.htm
June 15, 2005
ICE TEAMS UP WITH LOCALS TO ARREST 3 MS-13 GANG MEMBERS
Arrests part of “Operation Community Shield”
WEST PALM – A 22-year-old citizen of Guatemala charged with aggravated battery, assault on a firefighter and shoplifting is among three members of the violent street gang “Mara Salvatrucha” (MS-13) arrested here under U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE’s) anti-gang initiative “Operation Community Shield.”
Miguel Pedro Gaspar was arrested without incident at his home in Lake Worth, Florida. According to ICE’s investigative records, Gaspar was order removed by an immigration judge Jan. 31, 2005 but failed to leave the United States as ordered to do so.
“We are committed to identifying gang members like Gaspar who terrorize the communities we live in,” said Keith Perniciario, acting special agent-in-charge of ICE in Miami. “ICE will continue working around the clock to disrupt and dismantle this criminal element.”
Also arrested were brothers Efer Jonathan Roblero Aguilar, 24 and Carlos Hernan Roblero Aguilar, 21, both citizens of Mexico. The Aguilar brothers are being charged under section 212 of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) for entering the country without inspection.
All three are being held at the Krome Detention Center awaiting the outcome of their cases.
Today’s arrests are part of “Operation Community Shield,” an ICE national anti-gang initiative launched in March of this year to target members of the MS-13 gang. To date, ICE special agents, working with their federal, state and local counterparts have arrested more than 300 MS-13 members nationwide.
Operation Community Shield is designed to disrupt and dismantle violent gang organizations and prosecute their members by employing the full range of authorities and investigative tools available to ICE. Under this initiative, ICE is employing its broad immigration authorities, both criminal and administrative, against gang members
Operation Community Shield draws on strong partnerships and cooperation with existing federal, state, and local anti-gang efforts. Such partnerships are essential to the success of the initiative and to ensure officer safety during operations.
The Palm Beach Sheriff’s Office, the Lake Worth Police Department, the Miami-Dade Police Department, the U.S. Border Patrol and ICE detention and removal officers assisted with making today’s arrests.
# ICE #
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1423854/posts
"Two Dozen Suspected Gang Members Arrested; Raids Targeting Violent Hispanic Street And Prison Gangs"
Channel 9, Los Angeles ^ | 6-15-05
Posted on 06/15/2005 10:32:06 PM PDT by doug from upland
Two Dozen Suspected Gang Members Arrested
"Raids Targeting Violent Hispanic Street And Prison Gangs"
ARTICLE SNIPPET: "Jun 15, 2005 4:14 pm US/Pacific SANTA ANA, Calif. (AP) Federal authorities arrested two dozen men Wednesday in raids targeting violent Hispanic street and prison gangs in Orange County.
The U.S. district attorney's office also unsealed two racketeering indictments that together charge 40 people with using extortion and violence to control drug dealing in the county and in Santa Ana.
Alleged Mexican Mafia leader Peter Ojeda, 63, of La Habra was among those arrested Wednesday. He was charged in an indictment returned by a grand jury June 8 that alleges three counts including racketeering, drug trafficking and methamphetamine distribution."
Bumping your post, Cindy. Thanks.
Thanks for the bump Brad's Gramma.
Note: The following text is an exact quote (minus the graphics):
===
http://www.dea.gov/pubs/pressrel/pr061405.html
News Release [printer friendly page]
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 14, 2005
Contact: DEA Public Affairs
(202) 307-7977
Colombian Drug and Money Laundering Ring Shattered
Black Market Peso Exchange used illegally to funnel drug money
Operation Mallorca Arrest in New York
Operation Mallorca Arrest in Puerto Rico
WASHINGTON, DC – DEA Administrator Karen P. Tandy today announced the successful results of Operation Mallorca, a 27-month investigation that targeted the alleged money laundering activities of four Colombian-based money brokers who funneled drug proceeds through the Colombian Black Market Peso Exchange (BMPE). Operation Mallorca resulted in the arrests of 36 individuals in two countries. In addition, during the operation, $7.2 million, as well as 947 kilograms of cocaine, 7 kilograms of heroin, and 21,650 pounds of marijuana were seized.
“DEA is targeting the financial networks of drug cartels like never before to bankrupt traffickers and money launderers,” Administrator Tandy said. “In Operation Mallorca, we followed the money around the globe and into the hands of major Colombian drug traffickers. We’ve shown the Black Market Peso Exchange for what it is – the largest known drug money laundering mechanism in the Western Hemisphere.”
The BMPE is a system where drug traffickers sell U.S. drug proceeds to brokers for pesos. Brokers then sell the drug proceeds to Colombian importers who purchase goods in the United States and elsewhere. By purchasing the U.S. dollars on the BMPE and not through Colombia’s regulated exchange system, the importers avoid Colombian taxes and tariffs, gaining significant profit, and a competitive advantage over those who import legally.
“DEA showed today that traffickers can move their money around the world, but we will track it down,” said Tandy, who added that DEA denied drug trafficking organizations over $500 million of their profits last year alone. These seizures represent an increase of 40 percent over the previous year and severely impact the ability of drug traffickers to produce, transport, and distribute drugs into the United States. “We know that major drug traffickers have insulated themselves from their drug distribution networks, but remain closely linked to the proceeds of their trade. Operation Mallorca is a testament to our focus on the financial side of the drug business.”
Operation Mallorca Arrests in Puerto Rico
Operation Mallorca targeted alleged Colombian-based money brokers Gabriel Martinez, Farid Chain, and Edgar De Castro. Chain and other targets in the investigation were arrested in Barranquilla, Colombia. Arrests of other targets also took place in New York, Miami, Puerto Rico, and California. To date, there are 13 Colombian drug traffickers in custody who were part of this operation. Indictments were returned against four businesses in the Southern District of New York: Fabrica Colchitex in Barranquilla, Colombia; Mavex Corporation in Miami; Daybreak Corporation in Miami; and Inversiones Nolett in Miami.
Two of the 13 significant traffickers in custody, Mario Montoya and his associate Miguel Manotas, were arrested in March, 2004 by French authorities in St. Maarten, French Netherlands Antilles. Operation Mallorca identified the Montoya organization, which was allegedly responsible for trafficking multi-kilo shipments of cocaine from Colombia through the Caribbean corridor. Both Montoya and Manotas are pending extradition to the United States.
To date, the investigation has documented 68 separate transfers of drug money totaling over $12 million organized and directed by Martinez, Chain, and De Castro in San Juan, Puerto Rico; New York; and Miami. Monies were laundered through approximately 300 wire transfers to 200 bank accounts, involving 170 separate account holders, in 16 U.S. cities and 13 foreign countries. In addition, investigative efforts revealed 13 different trafficking groups in Colombia.
The first prosecutorial action occurred in June 2004, when a federal grand jury in the District of Puerto Rico indicted money broker Carlos Medina and six of his associates, all of whom have been arrested. On April 8, 2005, a federal grand jury in the District of Puerto Rico indicted Martinez, De Castro, and 16 of their criminal associates for violations of Title 18 USC 1956 - laundering of monetary instruments; Title 21 USC 952 and 963 - conspiracy to import controlled substances; Title 18 USC 982 - criminal forfeiture; and Title 21 USC 853 – criminal forfeiture and 881 – civil forfeiture.
On April 13, 2005, a federal grand jury in the District of Puerto Rico indicted Chain and 21 of his criminal associates for violations of Title 18 USC 1956 - laundering of monetary instruments; Title 21 USC 952 and 963 - conspiracy to import controlled substances; Title 18 USC 982 - criminal forfeiture; and Title 21 USC 853 – criminal forfeiture and 881 – civil forfeiture.
On April 14, 2005, a federal grand jury in the Southern District of New York superceded a previous indictment dated February 10, 2005 in which Martinez, De Castro, 30 criminal associates, and four businesses were indicted for violation of Title 18 USC 1956 – laundering of monetary instruments, Title 18 USC 1960 – unlicensed money transmitting business, and Title 21 USC 959 and 960 – possession and distribution for importation.
81 defendants and four businesses were indicted in the District of Puerto Rico and the Southern District of New York.
The following offices are responsible for the success of Operation Mallorca:
U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration
Bogota, Colombia
Cartagena, Colombia
Curacao, Netherlands Antilles (St. Maarten)
Miami, FL
New York, NY
Ft. Lauderdale, FL
San Juan, Puerto Rico
Special Operations Division, Money Laundering Section
U.S. Attorney’s Office, Southern District of New York
U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Puerto Rico
Departamento Administrativo de Seguridad (DAS)
Bogota, Colombia
Cartagena, Colombia
We could return them by air using one of these.
http://www.ledger-enquirer.com/mld/ledgerenquirer/news/nation/11897712.htm
Posted on Wed, Jun. 15, 2005
"Mexican Mafia grows in Staten Island"
BY CARRIE MELAGO AND JOSE MARTINEZ
New York Daily News
ARTICLE SNIPPET: "NEW YORK - (KRT) - At the foot of the Bayonne Bridge, in the Staten Island neighborhood known as Little Mexico, crime is down - falling by more than 6 percent this year. But troubling signs remain.
Fights regularly break out in the Port Richmond neighborhood's Latino nightclubs, and even more unnerving are the graffiti scrawlings for M13, a street gang with ties to the notorious Mexican Mafia.
"We've got a lot of problems right now with the gangs," said a 28-year-old Mexican man who ran with a gang for five years before being jailed. "They're even going after the 14- and 15-year-old kids."
A federal sting operation last month in Staten Island netted 20 members of the Mexican Mafia, shining a local spotlight onto one of California's oldest and most violent prison gangs."
I think there are going to be alot of "wannabe" MS13er's, because of their hardcore reputaion, or "respect" they get on the streets.
Maybe; maybe not.
Gangbangers like to make their own unique mark hanging with their homies.
The concern here about MS-13 is that some articles have linked them with AQ and/or AQ contacts.
BTTT
I've often wondered why pot smugglers don't use those near the empty stretches of Mexican and Canadian border. They'd seem an ideal way of getting a good-sized bale of stuff across without getting busted too easily (as long as you mount it on a truck, it ought to be okay, one would think).
But then, if smugglers were in business for the long haul they probably wouldn't be smugglers.
Note: The following text is an exact quote:
===
http://www.ice.gov/graphics/news/newsreleases/articles/050622charlotte.htm
News Release
June 22, 2005
6 ILLEGAL GANG MEMBERS ARRESTED BY ICE DURING FESTIVAL
“Among the arrested was a 23-year-old violent Mara Salvatrucha (MS-13) gang member”
CHARLOTTE, NC—Six dangerous illegal aliens, hard-core members of violent street gangs, were arrested here last weekend by special agents of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and officers assigned to the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department’s gang unit.
Twenty-one-year-old Edwin Laines-Barrera, a citizen of Honduras and a member of the violent “Mara Salvatrucha” (MS-13) street gang was among those arrested here during a local festival. Laines-Barrera had been ordered deported by an immigration judge but refused to obey the order and opted to hide instead.
Also arrested were five Mexican nationals identified as members of various street gangs. All are in the country illegally and have been placed into administrative removal proceedings.
“This was a cooperative proactive enforcement action initiated to stop any possible altercations between rival gangs during a large public gathering,” said Jeffery Jordan, assistant special agent-in-charge in North Carolina. “Gang members who think that they will terrorize our community must think twice. North Carolina’s law enforcement community is working closer than ever to find you and deport you.”
All of those arrested are in ICE custody at the Mecklenberg County Jail awaiting the out outcome of their cases.
These arrests are all part of “Operation Community Shield” an ICE anti-gang initiative launched in March of this year to target members of the MS-13 gang. To date, ICE special agents and their federal, state, and local counterparts have arrested more than 300 MS-13 members nationwide.
Operation Community Shield is designed to disrupt and dismantle violent gang organizations and prosecute their members by employing the full range of authorities and investigative tools available to ICE. Under this imitative, ICE is employing its broad immigration authorities, both criminal and administrative, against gang members.
Operation Community Shield draws on strong partnerships and cooperation with existing federal, state, and local anti-gang efforts. Such partnerships are essential to the success of the initiative and to ensure officer safety during operations.
# ICE #
Note: The following text is an exact quote:
---
http://www.ice.gov/graphics/news/newsreleases/articles/052706washingtondc.htm
News Release
June 27, 2005
RECENT OPERATIONS NET GANG ARRESTS AND DEPORTATIONS
More Than 400 Dangerous Gang Members Arrested Since Launch of Gang Initiative
WASHINGTON, D.C.-U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has arrested eight known gang members in four cities and removed nine others in recent days. These arrests are the latest under Operation Community Shield, a national initiative aimed at disrupting and dismantling violent gangs. The arrests bring the total arrested to more than 400 since March 2005.
Over the past week arrests occurred in San Francisco, Seattle, Atlanta and Detroit. The removals occurred from the Buffalo, NY Federal Detention Facility. All eight of the individuals arrested have been charged with being illegally present in the United States and are being detained pending their immigration court hearings.
The eight gang members deported from Buffalo were arrested around the country and staged at the facility as ICE completed the repatriation process. Their criminal activity included manslaughter, criminal weapons possession, robbery, assault and attempted robbery.
William Cleary, Buffalo Detention and Deportation Field Office Director, said that the nine individuals removed were gang members from Mexico, El Salvador, Honduras and the Dominican Republic. They belonged to gangs such as MS-13, the "Mexican Boys" of the La Gran Familia, the "Big Kings"of SUR-13, "Esquadron," La Gran Raza," and "Trinitarios."
"Every time ICE removes a dangerous and brutal gang member from the country our towns and cities become safer," Cleary said. "Even if the person removed is a low level member of a vicious criminal organization which profits from drug trafficking, prostitution and other violent activities."
Arrests
Oakland, CA
Antonio Garcia-Becerra, a Mexican national and Southside Locos 13 gang member. Garcia was previously deported from the United States and re-entered in violation of federal law. He has a criminal history that includes a weapons violation.
Victor Alejandro Ortega, a Mexican national and member of the Border Brother gang. Ortega is an aggravated felon with convictions for transporting and selling a controlled substance and assault with a firearm.
Miguel Castillo, a Mexican national with an extensive juvenile criminal history and convictions for drug possession and DUI.
Seattle, WA
Arnin Valdez-Bonilla, a Honduran national who is a member of M-13 and has a conviction for assault. Valedez entered the United States without inspection.
Atlanta
Roberto Villazania-Hernandez is a Mexican national and member of the SUR12 gang. He has a conviction for aggravated assault and also entered the United States without inspection. ICE took custody of Villazania from the Clayton County, Georgia Task Force.
Erick Espiritu-Garcia is a Mexican national with a criminal history who is a member of Vatos Locos gang. HE has a criminal record and entered the country illegally.
Miguel Perulero-Casildo has a conviction for eluding a police office and is illegally in the United States.
Detroit
Mario Chavez-Rodriguez is a Mexican national and member of the Sureno gang who was arrested by local authorities for DUI. He entered the United States illegally and is now in ICE custody.
Removals
Demetrio Casco is a native and citizen of Mexico and a member of the gang "Esquadron." His criminal history includes convictions for criminal possession of a weapon, attempted assault and possession of dangerous contraband in prison.
Julian Lopez-Villalobos, is a Mexican national and a member of the "Big Kings" street gang in Phoenix, AZ.
Silvino Felipe-Martinez is a Mexican national who is a member of "Mexican Boys" affiliated with the gang La Gran Familia.
Antonio Hernandez-Alvarez of El Salvador is a member of MS-13 with a criminal history including criminal possession of a weapon
Henry Salgado of Honduras is affiliated with MS-13. He has convictions for gang assault in the 1st degree, assault and criminal possession of a weapon.
Jorge Martinez of El Salvador is also a member of MS-13 with convictions for attempted robbery and robbery. He also served time in a special housing unit for drug possession while serving time for the criminal convictions.
Moreno Ibel of the Dominican Republic is a member of "Trinitarios", a Dominican prison gang. He served time in two NewYork state prisons.
Carlos Flores of Mexico is affiliated with the "Esquadron" street gang. Flores was arrested in April 1996 for Murder and eventually convicted of manslaughter.
Sandy Rodriguez is a native and citizen of the Dominican Republic and a member of the "Trinitarios", a Dominican prison gang at Rikers Island.
-- ICE --
reference ping, THAT is one heck of a tater gun!
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