ICE officials arrest 10 suspected gang members (News 14 Carolina)

ICE officials arrest 10 suspected gang members

Updated 02/19/2009 04:16 PM
By: News 14 Carolina Web Staff

CHARLOTTE -- U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement arrested 10 suspected gang members Wednesday as part of an ongoing nationwide crackdown. Of the 10 suspects, four also face federal charges, including re-entering the country after they were deported.

ICE officials say the sting targeted members of five street gangs -- MS-13, Surenos, Brown Pride, Sur 13 and the Latin Kings. Experts say MS-13 is currently the most dangerous gang in the United States and the Sur 13 gang is believed to be active in more than 100 communities across the country, including six in North Carolina.

Since the Operation Community Shield program began in February 2005, officials say nearly 12,000 suspected gang members have been arrested in the U.S.

Authorities estimate there are more than 150 gangs with 2,000 active members in Charlotte alone.

A new FBI report says gangs are expanding their reach into more rural and suburban communities. In North Carolina, local authorities and FBI agents are working together on the Safe Streets Gang Task Force.

In Charlotte, FBI officials said the group spearheaded the Hidden Valley Kings roundup in 2007 and last June’s statewide MS-13 gang sweep.