In an investigation that dates back to 2017, the feds have apprehended approximately 31 people whom they believe have strong ties to the Mexican Mafia (aka La Eme).
All of the alleged perpetrators have been named in a 33-count indictment that was revealed by the Department of Justice on Wednesday. Thus far, the authorities have reported that most of the criminal activity associated with the suspects took place in or around Orange Country, California. Of all the charges listed in the indictment, some of the most noteworthy implications are conspiring to violate the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act and committing violent crimes in aid of racketeering (VICAR) along with allegations of murder, attempted murder, extortion and drug trafficking in Orange County.
It is widely believed amongst law enforcement that the senior members of the Mexican Mafia delegated control of various territories throughout Southern California to a litany of street gangs who agreed to pay them a tax in order to broker drug deals. The control and profit system made the Mexican Mafia quite prolific in the area. But because of the violent nature of the Mexican Mafia's day-to-day operations, it also drew the attention of the feds, who kept a close eye on the organization until they finally gathered up enough evidence to make their arrests stick.
"The violence, drug-dealing and other criminal acts being committed in our communities by gangsters associated with the Mexican Mafia is being met with the strongest possible response by law enforcement," said United States Attorney Tracy L. Wilkison. "We will continue to investigate, arrest and prosecute these individuals to the fullest extent of the law to restore a sense of safety to so many neighborhoods that have felt the impact of their destructive conduct."
According to reports, the most recent wave of arrests, regarding this case, was made on Wednesday. The Mexican Mafia is so well organized that the feds are looking to scatter their captives all over the country, in various prisons, so that they cannot communicate with one another.
The feds used a combination of wiretapping and surveillance to bring most of their suspects to justice, but one still remains at large.
Stay tuned for more news on this story.
Source: MSN
