Over 60 arrested as officials target ‘dangerous pipeline’ of guns and drugs
More than 60 alleged gang members in and around Boston were arrested in pre-dawn raids on Thursday and charged with a range of racketeering, drug, and firearm charges in connection to a sprawling criminal pipeline, U.S. Attorney Carmen Ortiz said.
The 14-month investigation initially targeted the 18th Street Gang, a multi-national gang that operates in Central America and around the U.S., including in Boston. But law enforcement expanded the investigation to also focus on gangs allied with 18th Street, including the East Side Money Gang and the Boylston Street Gang, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
“A dangerous pipeline of drugs and guns was disrupted and dismantled,” Ortiz said. “I truly believe today’s arrests will have significant impact on communities most affected [by gang violence].”
Of the 66 people arrested, 53 face federal charges and the rest face state prosecution. In all, about 70 firearms were recovered by police, including 58 handguns, four rifles, and six shotguns. The investigation relied on wiretaps and cooperating witnesses, as well as newer technologies.
Officials said the pipeline of firearms spread from New Hampshire to Rhode Island and covered the cities of Chelsea, East Boston, Boston, Brockton, Lynn, Revere, Everett, Saugus, and Malden.
The morning raids were conducted by more than 400 federal, state, and local law enforcement officers, the culmination of what Ortiz said was an “unprecedented” level of cooperation and collaboration between agencies.
The investigation included federal agents from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives, the Drug Enforcement Administration, and the Homeland Security Investigations, as well as local and state agencies.
Boston Police Commissioner Bill Evans said the operation was “quite an undertaking.” He lauded the help in taking down the Boylston Street Gang, which he called a “main gang in the city.”
Boston Mayor Marty Walsh thanked the law enforcement agencies who worked through the night during the raids.
“This work that’s been done today by law enforcement is an incredible step forward to saving lives,” he said. “We’re not going to stop until we take all of the guns off the streets.”
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