Nearly 1,400 Arrested in Major HSI Gang Sting
Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), a unit of Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE), is hailing the largest single gang operation in its history.
The six-week operation ran from March 26 to May 6, and resulted in the arrest of 1,378 people.
In addition to HSI and ICE’s Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO), numerous state, local, and federal law enforcement partners joined.
“Gang-related violence and criminal activity present an ongoing challenge for law enforcement everywhere. Our efforts to dismantle gangs are much more effective in areas where partnership with local law enforcement is strongest,” said ICE Acting Director Thomas Homan.
The greatest arrest activity took place in the HSI Houston, HSI New York, HSI Atlanta, and HSI Newark areas.
Arrest Details
1,095 of those arrested were confirmed as gang members and affiliates, belonging to the Bloods, Sureños, MS-13, and the Crips among others. The remaining 283 suspects did not claim gang affiliation but were arrested on criminal or administrative charges.
Among the arrested: 933 U.S. citizens and 445 foreign nationals from 21 countries.
Three of those arrested had deferred action under Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) and are at risk of deportation.
Ten of those arrested crossed the border as unaccompanied minors. Nine of the ten are confirmed as gang members, with eight of them belonging to MS-13.
The suspects were involved in a wide range of transnational criminal activity, including drug trafficking, weapons smuggling, human smuggling, sex trafficking, murder, and racketeering.
And seized by law enforcement: 238 firearms, various drugs including 790 ounces of cocaine, 1.6 ounces of fentanyl, 547 ounces of meth, 113 ounces of heroin, and over $491,000 in cash.