ICE Captures 5 Phoenix Gang Members in 'Project Big Freeze' (MyFox Phoenix)

ICE Captures 5 Phoenix Gang Members in 'Project Big Freeze'
476 gang members or associates arrested nationwide

Published : Wednesday, 27 Jan 2010, 2:56 PM MST

PHOENIX -- As part of a nationwide gang bust, Immigration and Customs Enforcement announced Wednesday the arrest of five criminals in the Phoenix area that were linked to area street gangs.

Project Big Freeze targeted transnational street gangs with ties to drug trafficking in 83 cities across the nation. Nationwide, ICE arrested 476 criminals with gang connections.

Project Big Freeze is the largest ICE-led enforcement operation targeting gangs with ties to drug trafficking.

In Phoenix, 24-year-old Jose Gerardo Hernandez-Almaraz, 24, was arrested Jan. 19 at his residence in Chandler. He's an illegal immigrant being federal prosecuted for re-entry after deportation. He could spend up to 20 years in prison.

ICE and Glendale Police together arrested 37-year-old Gregory Walker on weapons and drug charges. The remaining three suspects will be deported.

Earlier this month, ICE agents arrested five members of the Broadway Gangsters, and also assisted MCSO in the arrest of 27-year-old Alfred Mikhaiel, an Iraqi national and member of the Latin Kings.

Nearly half of the 476 arrests were members or associates of gangs with ties to cartels in Mexico, South America, and Asia.