Feds Arrest Hundreds of Gang Affliates

Federal agents and other members of law enforcement last week arrested hundreds of people in transnational gangs or those who associated with them as part of an international effort to combat criminal organizations involved in human smuggling and trafficking.

The crackdown, referred to as “Project Nefarious,” resulted in 767 arrests in 49 states and 25 in Honduras made between April 9 and 21, officials said.

More than 600 of those arrested were gang members or associates. Nearly half of those detained were from other countries, the U.S. Immigration and Custom Enforcement agency said.

Authorities made arrests for both criminal and immigration law violations.

Of the nearly 600 people apprehended on criminal charges, slightly more than 80 percent were gang members or associates. Of the nearly 200 people arrested for immigration law violations, less than 20 percent were not involved in gangs, an ICE spokeswoman said.

Almost 100 people were arrested on criminal charges in Los Angeles - more than in any other city, according to ICE data. Chicago lead in arrests related to immigration violation with 23.

Project Nefarious was the result of a 2011 report by the Department of Justice that indicated greater gang involvement in human smuggling and trafficking.

ICE reported that transnational gangs are frequently involved in a range of illegal activities. Among them: drug smuggling and distribution; identity theft and benefit fraud; money laundering and bulk cash smuggling; weapons smuggling and arms trafficking; cyber crimes; export violations; and other crimes related to the border.

Ten people arrested were wanted for murder.

In addition to the arrests, agents seized 52 firearms, nearly 5,500 pounds of marijuana, almost 7 pounds of cocaine, more than $200,000 and 14 vehicles.