U.S. Goes After Jamaica Gangs in 13 States, D.C., Arrests 118
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WASHINGTON — Law enforcement officials today arrested more than 100 members of Jamaican crime gangs considered “the country’s most violent” gangs in a massive sweep of 13 states and the District of Columbia.
Stephen E. Higgins, director of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, told a news conference that 118 members of the gangs had been taken into custody since the sweep began Monday afternoon. Higgins said officials expect more than 200 of the gang members to be arrested by the time the sweep ends Wednesday.
“They are probably this country’s most violent” organized crime gang, Higgins said, referring to the groups known as the Jamaican Posses.
He said the Jamaican Posses have been connected to more than 600 drug-related murders, kidnaping, narcotics trafficking, gun trafficking, robberies, assaults and money laundering.
Arrests were made in Los Angeles, New York, Miami, Philadelphia, Boston, Cleveland, Dallas, Denver, Kansas City, Mo., Houston, Baltimore, Chicago, Atlanta, Detroit and the District of Columbia.
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