Eighteen Brazilian nationals throughout a number of Bay State communities have been charged with unlawful gun gross sales, because the feds seized greater than 100 firearms within the gang-related crackdown.
The U.S. Legal professional’s Workplace on Wednesday introduced the outcomes of a year-long federal investigation into unlawful firearm gross sales throughout Massachusetts.
The feds allege that a few of the weapons have been tied to gang-related actions involving a big transnational prison group, Primeiro Comando da Capital — in addition to smaller, native avenue gangs, particularly the “Tropa de Sete” and “Trem Bala” avenue gangs.
Primeiro Comando da Capital, initially based within the jail programs in Sao Paulo, Brazil, is without doubt one of the largest prison organizations in Brazil and Latin America.
Primeiro Comando da Capital members and their associates are allegedly recognized to commit violent offenses, together with murders, armed robberies, kidnappings and the coordination of a transnational drug trafficking operation.
About 110 weapons, trafficking portions of fentanyl, and ammunition have been seized over the course of the investigation, which started final yr.
The firearms embrace handguns, rifles, short-barreled rifles and shotguns that have been primarily trafficked from areas in Florida and South Carolina into Massachusetts.
Eighteen Brazilian nationals have been charged individually with federal firearms offenses over the course of the investigation. Nearly all of the defendants are within the U.S. illegally.
Among the communities that they reside in are: Boston, Chelsea, Revere, Everett, Malden, Weymouth, Framingham, Marlboro, Plymouth, and Yarmouth.
“As alleged, these defendants — most of whom have no legal status in the United States — played a role in bringing deadly weapons into Massachusetts, some as traffickers and others as unlawful possessors,” Massachusetts U.S. Legal professional Leah Foley stated in an announcement.
“This kind of lawlessness fuels violent crime and empowers transnational criminal organizations that profit from chaos and fear,” Foley added. “It puts American lives at risk. This case is a testament to the strength of our federal, state, and local law enforcement partnerships in keeping our communities safe and upholding the rule of law.”
ICE Boston was concerned within the bust.
“Not only were they allegedly members or associates of dangerous transnational criminal organizations, but they were also allegedly involved in trafficking significant amounts of illegal firearms, ammunition, and fentanyl,” stated ICE Boston ERO Director Patricia Hyde. “ICE Boston will continue to prioritize the safety of our public by arresting and removing illegal alien offenders from our New England neighborhoods.”
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