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| -Lurid Crime Tales- |
| ICE gang surge nets 102 arrests in Phoenix, Yuma |
| 2010-08-27 |
| A total of 102 individuals with ties to 19 different street gangs are facing criminal charges or deportation following a six-day, multi-agency enforcement action in Phoenix and Yuma, Ariz. spearheaded by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Office of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI). Deported? I thought ICE wasn't doing that any more since they were 'overloaded' with work ... The arrests were made as part of Operation Community Shield, an ongoing initiative by ICE-HSI's National Gang Unit in which the agency uses its powerful immigration and customs authorities in a coordinated strategy to attack and dismantle criminal street gangs across the country. As part of the initiative, ICE partners with other federal, state and local law enforcement agencies to target the significant public safety threat posed by transnational gangs. Of the gang members and gang associates arrested during the enforcement action that concluded late Saturday, 29 are currently facing prosecution on state criminal charges, including outstanding warrants for gang-related violations. Three of the subjects arrested will also be presented to the U.S. Attorney's Office for prosecution for felony re-entry after deportation, a federal violation that carries a potential penalty of up to 20 years in prison. "Gang activity poses one of the greatest threats to public safety in Arizona communities," said Matt Allen, special agent in charge for ICE-HSI in Arizona. "ICE is successfully targeting these gangs, arresting their leaders, disrupting their operations, and putting their members and associates behind bars." Among those arrested during the enforcement action in Phoenix was a 33-year-old Mexican gang member in Mesa whose criminal history includes a conviction for aggravated assault in 2007. Another of the individuals taken into custody was a 27-year-old member of a Chandler gang wanted for burglary in California. The California Department of Corrections agreed to extradite Miguel Angel Lopez-Zuniga, who was booked into the Maricopa County Jail to await transfer to California. In Yuma, ICE agents arrested gang member Fernando Ulloa, a 20-year-old U.S. citizen, on Arizona state charges related to a conspiracy to distribute marijuana and money laundering. Agents also arrested gang member Claudio Garcia, a 25-year-old U.S. citizen, for contempt of court. Twenty-six of the gang members and gang associates arrested during the operation are U.S. citizens. The remaining 76 individuals are foreign nationals. The majority of the foreign nationals are from Mexico (58), but the group also includes citizens from Guatemala and Honduras. Those foreign nationals who are not being prosecuted on criminal charges are being processed for removal from the United States. Since Operation Community Shield began in February 2005, ICE agents nationwide have arrested more than 18,000 gang members and gang associates. As part of the effort, HSI's National Gang Unit identifies violent street gangs and develops intelligence on their membership, associates, criminal activities and international movements to deter, disrupt and dismantle gang operations. Transnational street gangs have significant numbers of foreign-born members and are frequently involved in human and contraband smuggling, immigration violations and other crimes with a connection to the border. To report suspicious activity, call ICE's 24-hour toll-free hotline at: 1-866-347-2423 or visit www.ice.gov. |
| Posted by: Anonymoose |
| #8 ? |
| Posted by: Pappy 2010-08-27 21:46 |
| #7 "How many lives have been touched" by the stimulus plan. Does "Touched" include your reaching into my wallet and stealing my cash? if so I'm "Touched". |
| Posted by: Redneck Jim 2010-08-27 15:01 |
| #6 Both ICE and BP agents are pissed off at their managers. More and more, the intensity of their work is making them almost paramilitary. And like with military men, they hate getting undermined by squishy leaders. Eventually they will get a sympathetic administration, which will tell them to do their job, and back them up with the weapons, equipment and ROE they need. And then it will be payback time. |
| Posted by: Anonymoose 2010-08-27 14:25 |
| #5 Drug trans-shipment, money laundering, etc are state as well as federal crimes. Even if the Arizona coppers can't ask about residency and citizenship they can take down these jokers. If Brewer really wants to be serious, have the AZ state police step up on the border. Hire as many new officers as needed, get them trained properly, and get them out there. Bambi and Eric Holder can't do anything about that. |
| Posted by: Steve White 2010-08-27 10:55 |
| #4 I read where Gov. Jan Brewer has appealed the ruling by the Federal judge who tried to hamstring Arizona from enforcing State and Federal immigration law. It must be difficult for local law enforcement along the border when a donk executive branch and the DOJ idealogues are at war with the States. |
| Posted by: JohnQC 2010-08-27 10:00 |
| #3 John, Our local law enforcement is doing a great job of trying to protect us from this war. What is happening, downplayed by calling it gangs, is an armed invasion by the catrels. They control cels in Arizona where money and drugs are transferred. ICE getting involed means they have realized it is an organized effort by an outside organization. |
| Posted by: 49 Pan 2010-08-27 08:55 |
| #2 If this a true representation of ICE efforts, great. However, there is a more of such activity to be done. I'm sorry but I'm jaundiced about any data coming from Washington. The Obama administration has cooked the numbers to such an extent it taints and stains the credibility of any numbers coming out of Washington. Consider the "jobs saved or created," propaganda, how wonderful the health care bill is, all the wonderful news about the economy, and the latest: "How many lives have been touched" by the stimulus plan. |
| Posted by: JohnQC 2010-08-27 08:07 |
| #1 Excellent catch, 'Moose. Just outstanding. |
| Posted by: badanov 2010-08-27 00:27 |