12 arrested in sting, 11 to be deportation (WBBM-Chicago, IL)

12 arrested in sting, 11 to be deportation

Posted: Wednesday, 17 June 2009 6:39PM

CHICAGO (STNG) -- In the latest local action in a national effort to target foreign-born gang members, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents and local police made 12 arrests and lodged one detainer in a three-day operation targeting gangs in the west and northwest suburbs.

These arrests were part of an ongoing initiative of the National Gang Unit at ICE called Operation Community Shield, according to a release from ICE.

The multi-agency operation, which ended Tuesday, targeted foreign-born gang members and associates. Ten of the 12 were arrested on administrative immigration violations and are currently in ICE custody pending deportation. All are illegal aliens from Mexico who are members of the Imperial Gangsters, Sureños-13 or Latin Kings.

Two of the 12 arrests were made by Franklin Park police with ICE’s assistance. The first, a U.S. citizen with no gang affiliation, was arrested for having seven marijuana plants in his Northlake residence. He faces state felony charges for drug possession. The second, a 17-year-old illegal alien from Mexico, is an Imperial Gangsters member arrested on a misdemeanor drug charge.

ICE also placed a detainer on an Iraqi native and Latin King member who was located in Cook County Jail, where he faces unrelated felony drug charges. He is a U.S. permanent resident whose previous criminal convictions make him eligible for deportation upon release from local custody, the release said.

During the operation, ICE agents also seized a .40-caliber semi automatic handgun.

The 10 illegal alien gang members in custody all have criminal histories, including convictions and arrests for aggravated battery, criminal sexual assault, burglary, unlawful possession of drugs, domestic battery and mob action.

ICE was assisted in the operation by the Arlington Heights, Franklin Park, Melrose Park, Mt. Prospect, Northlake, Palatine, Stone Park and Wheeling police departments.

Since Operation Community Shield started in February 2005, more than 13,000 gang members belonging to more than 900 gangs have been arrested nationwide.