Illegal Alien Gang Members Nailed by Feds, Local Cops - (is the gov't finally listening to us?)

MENS NEWS DAILY.COM ^ | JUNE 10, 2005 | JIM KOURI, CPP

[CHARLITE]

Feds and local cops in New York nabbed almost a hundred illegal aliens who are suspected of participating in gang activities that include violent offenses, drug trafficking, prostitution and sex crimes. A joint criminal investigation in the New York City metropolitan area has resulted in the arrest of 95 criminal alien gang members, all of whom now face removal from the United States.

The arrests are the culmination of a joint four-month investigation conducted by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents, the New York City Department of Probation, Yonkers, NY Police Department officers and other local law enforcement agencies that targeted criminal alien gang members residing in New York City, Yonkers and Long Island.

The ICE initiative, called “Operation ICE Cage,” was launched in January and falls under the umbrella of ICE’s nationwide anti-gang initiative called “Operation Community Shield.” To date, Community Shield has led to the arrest of hundreds of gang members nationwide, including more than 200 members of the Mara Salvatrucha (MS-13) street gang.

Community Shield is designed to disrupt, dismantle and prosecute violent gangs by using the full authorities and investigative tools available to ICE. Under this law enforcement operation, ICE is employing its broad immigration authorities against gang members, as well as its customs authorities in targeting narcotics smuggling, money laundering and in seeking the forfeiture of assets. This initiative involves strong partnerships and cooperation with existing federal, state and local anti-gang efforts.

The criminal alien gang members arrested in the New York operation had prior convictions for various offenses including assault, attempted assault, sexual misconduct, criminal sale of marijuana, criminal possession of a weapon, drug sales and possession, gang assault, promoting prostitution, criminal possession of stolen property and robbery.

All of the gang members arrested were in the country illegally and will now be placed in removal proceedings. Countries of origin for those arrested include Dominica, Ecuador, Mexico, El Salvador, Guatemala and Peru. Arrests were made within the five boroughs of New York City, Yonkers, Nassau County and Suffolk County.

Gangs targeted in the operation included MS-13, the Crips, Carnalito, Los Cholos, La Raza, Somebre Negra, Los Vagos, Cachondos, La Pirmera, the Latin Boys, Vatos Locos, Crazy Homies and the Mexican Mafia.

Sources: US Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Yonkers, NY Police Department, National Association of Chiefs of Police

Jim Kouri, CPP is currently fifth vice-president of the National Association of Chiefs of Police. He's former chief at a New York City housing project in Washington Heights nicknamed "Crack City" by reporters covering the drug war in the 1980s. In addition, he served as director of public safety at a New Jersey university. He's also served on the National Drug Task Force and trained police and security officers throughout the country. He writes for many police and crime magazines including Chief of Police, Police Times, The Narc Officer, Campus Law Enforcement Journal, and others. He's appeared as on-air commentator for over 100 TV and radio news and talk shows including Oprah, McLaughlin Report, CNN Headline News, MTV, Fox News

[TheLion]

Would be nice to know they couldn't walk right back in across the border, after being deported.