🚨NO WHITE SUPREMACISTS INVOLVED🚨
KTSM 9 NEWS published August 30, 2024: 21 'Chuco Tango' gang members arrested.
KABB FOX San Antonio published August 30, 2024: 22 arrested in raids targeting Chuco Tango gang for drugs, firearms.
The El Paso FBI and other law enforcement agencies conducted different raids across the El Paso region Thursday morning.
Federal officials said in a press conference that 22 members of the Chuco Tango gang were arrested during the raids that happened Thursday across the Borderland.
The people arrested were on warrants for indictments of illegal drugs and firearms.
The Baltimore Sun
written by KFOX Staff
Thursday September 5, 2024
The FBI in El Paso and other law enforcement agencies conducted different raids across the El Paso region.
Federal officials said in a press conference that 22 members of the Chuco Tango gang were arrested during the raids.
Those arrested were wanted on warrants for indictments related to illegal drugs and firearms.
The last suspect, identified as Jessica Rodarte, was first reported as part of four fugitives law enforcement was still searching for, but by evening, they said they had her in custody.
According to the U.S. Department of Justice, suspects Carlos Flores, Jonathan Blanco and Adriel Belmont remain at large.
“Defendants were charged by the FBI with an array of federal crimes – including possession and distribution of fentanyl, methamphetamine, and cocaine, unlawful possession of firearms, aiding and abetting, and conspiracy,” said U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Texas, Jaime Esparza.
Officials said the people arrested were selling fentanyl, methamphetamine, cocaine and illegal firearms.
The raids happened in El Paso, Las Cruces, Horizon City, Socorro and Anthony, New Mexico.
“The Chuco Tango gang involves themselves in multiple areas of criminal activity,” said Esparza. “They are involved in drug trafficking, including fentanyl, meth, cocaine and heroine — as well as human smuggling and kidnapping.”
Esparza said fentanyl is a big problem in El Paso and across the country and added the operation began in November 2023.
“There were several indictments that we had not just today but also for tomorrow that are remaining outstanding, all of them are related to drug charges. It takes law enforcement and cooperation to make sure that we have the safety the community of El Paso is known for,” El Paso District Attorney Bill Hicks said.
FBI Acting Special Agent in Charge Britton Boyd said they made 18 arrests and executed three search warrants.
“Four years ago, the FBI launched Operation ‘Rockwater’ targeting Chuco Tango gang members who are violent criminals who are trafficking dangerous drugs and poisoning the streets of El Paso,” Boyd said.
Boyd said that to date, Operation Rockwater has resulted in 44 federal and state arrests, 65 drug seizures, 21 firearm seizures, recovery of military grandee explosives and the recent arrest of “Artistas Asesinos” gang member Angelica Pineda, aka “La Shelly,” who was deported back to Mexico.
DEA Special Agent in Charge Towanda Thorne-James said the DEA brought charges against eight of those arrested.
There are still three fugitives outstanding for the DEA and one fugitive identified as Carlos Flores is wanted by the FBI, according to officials.
Boyd said all people arrested Thursday were U.S. citizens.
“This is a long-term operation. The Chuco Tango gang is one of many problems that we have. We are on the trail regarding fentanyl. We are very concerned about fentanyl, ” said Esparza.
About 200 law enforcement personnel executed the operation.
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