Source: Africa Publicity
US federal authorities have indicted 26 alleged members of the Trinitarios gang in Massachusetts on racketeering charges linked to five murders, 19 attempted murders, large-scale drug trafficking, extortion, kidnapping, robbery and firearms offenses, according to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
The indictments, announced following a June 9 federal action, allege that members of the gang participated in a wide-ranging criminal enterprise responsible for violent attacks and other serious crimes across the region.
Authorities said the Trinitarios gang is known for carrying out violent assaults, including machete attacks and coordinated group assaults against individuals perceived to have disrespected the organization. The gang is believed to have originated within New York City’s Rikers Island prison system as a group formed to protect incarcerated Dominican inmates.
As part of the ongoing investigation, ICE Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) New England and its Homeland Security Task Force partners arrested seven individuals described as illegal aliens who had either previously been deported or were currently facing deportation proceedings.
Federal investigators allege the criminal enterprise was involved in trafficking dozens of kilograms of illegal narcotics in addition to its violent criminal activities.
“We’re facing more dangerous, more violent, and more complex crime than ever before, but HSI and the Homeland Security Task Force are ready to meet the challenge,” said Jeffrey Grimming, acting special agent in charge of HSI New England.
The investigation remains ongoing, and authorities have not released additional details regarding potential future arrests or prosecutions. The defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.
