It's one of the biggest gang roundups here in recent memory. 116 people from some of the world's most dangerous and deadly gangs are now off the streets.
When the bad boys are tough international gang-bangers, you can count on officials with Immigration and Customs Enforcement or ICE to go after them.
"We will target anyone who is in a gang and is a foreign national involved in criminal activities in the United States," said John Connolly, an ICE special agent.
Connolly is talking about activities such as drug and weapon smuggling, human trafficking, and money laundering. Operation Community Shield, which partners federal agents with state and local enforcement officers, was able to arrest 116 people during a multi-city sweep that lasted five days last week.
"The actual operation is nationwide," said Connolly. "Last week, we focused on the Beaumont, Corpus Christi, as well as the Houston area."
Among those captured, 30 men and three women in Houston. Agents say they are suspected of having ties to at least 12 notorious gangs including MS 13, the Latin Kings, the Houstones, etc. Officials say the many tattoos on those arrested help them to identify which gang they're with. Others had in their possessions weapons such as assault rifles, shotguns, and handguns. Some of them are said to be illegal immigrants.
"Several will be charged federally," said Connolly. "Some may have to be deported... Several who were hold on state charges are held here in Houston."
ICE says the arrests are a major accomplishment and they will continue to try ...
"To disrupt these gangs," said Connolly. "And to make the streets here safer, especially here in Houston."
Since it started in 2005, Operation Community Shield has been able to arrest about 13,000 gang-members and their associates nationwide.
"We will target anyone who is in a gang and is a foreign national involved in criminal activities in the United States," said John Connolly, an ICE special agent.
Connolly is talking about activities such as drug and weapon smuggling, human trafficking, and money laundering. Operation Community Shield, which partners federal agents with state and local enforcement officers, was able to arrest 116 people during a multi-city sweep that lasted five days last week.
"The actual operation is nationwide," said Connolly. "Last week, we focused on the Beaumont, Corpus Christi, as well as the Houston area."
Among those captured, 30 men and three women in Houston. Agents say they are suspected of having ties to at least 12 notorious gangs including MS 13, the Latin Kings, the Houstones, etc. Officials say the many tattoos on those arrested help them to identify which gang they're with. Others had in their possessions weapons such as assault rifles, shotguns, and handguns. Some of them are said to be illegal immigrants.
"Several will be charged federally," said Connolly. "Some may have to be deported... Several who were hold on state charges are held here in Houston."
ICE says the arrests are a major accomplishment and they will continue to try ...
"To disrupt these gangs," said Connolly. "And to make the streets here safer, especially here in Houston."
Since it started in 2005, Operation Community Shield has been able to arrest about 13,000 gang-members and their associates nationwide.
