1 month ago
More than 2 twelve members and associates of nan Mexican mafia were arrested during an early greeting crackdown successful confederate California, national authorities said connected Thursday.
The FBI and different national and section agencies executed hunt and apprehension warrants astatine locations mostly successful Orange county, southbound of Los Angeles, according to nan US attorney’s office.
A full of 43 group person been indicted connected charges including murder, kidnapping, extortion, moving an forbidden gambling cognition and supplier trafficking, prosecutors said.
Officers seized 120lbs (54kg) of methamphetamine, much than 8lbs (4kg) of fentanyl, on pinch 25 firearms and much than $30,000 successful cash, officials said.
The Mexican mafia was started successful nan 1950s astatine a juvenile jailhouse and grew to an world criminal statement that controls smuggling, supplier income and extortion from wrong California’s penal system.
The indictment alleges 1 leader who was incarcerated utilized contraband cellphones to oversee nan Mexican mafia’s criminal activities from his situation compartment from June 2024 to April this year. He directed thoroughfare pack members to kidnap and battle people, according to tribunal documents. The pack besides allegedly sold narcotics including fentanyl, meth, heroin and cocaine.
“It ran forbidden gambling businesses wrong commercialized portion malls and backstage residences,” nan US attorney’s agency said successful a statement. “The pack collected extortionate taxes and provided security, including nan usage of violence, to protect nan forbidden gambling businesses.”
The pack is besides suspected of a execution astatine a “gang-controlled” motel successful Anaheim, according to nan indictment.
“Gang members who murder, extort, kidnap and postulation narcotics and firearms are a menace to our communities and our measurement of life,” said first adjunct United States lawyer Bill Essayli.
The defendants will statesman making their first appearances successful nan coming days successful national tribunal successful Los Angeles and Orange counties.
