Arrests and Charges Made Against MS-13 Gang in US, Including Gang Leader Edenilson Velasquez Larin

US Authorities Arrest Gang Members, Including Leader Edenilson Velasquez Larin, in Major MS-13 Bust

In a significant blow to the notorious gang Mara Salvatrucha, commonly known as MS-13, US authorities have announced a series of arrests and charges against its members. Among those apprehended is Edenilson Velasquez Larin, one of the gang’s leaders in New York and across the country. Approximately twenty other gang members operating in the Big Apple were also taken into custody.

The Federal Prosecutor’s Office of the Eastern District of New York confirmed that twelve new members of the MS-13 group were arrested this morning. The majority of the arrests were carried out in New York, but law enforcement agencies in other states, including New Jersey, Colorado, and North Carolina, also participated in the operation.

Velasquez, 33, who goes by the aliases “Aggressor,” “Saturn,” and “Paco,” is considered the leader of the Fulton Locos Salvatruchas gang. He holds influence both locally, in the Queens district of New York, and nationally, where the Mara Salvatrucha operates under the names “US Program” or “LA Program.”

According to court documents, Velasquez is currently in the custody of immigration authorities in Ohio and will be formally detained in the coming days. The Prosecutor’s Office alleges that Velasquez and the national structure of the gang are responsible for collecting money from local groups and ordering the murder of witnesses or rival gang members.

“The MS-13 gangs help each other commit violent crimes, harbor fugitives, acquire firearms, distribute narcotics, and other things,” asserted the prosecution.

In total, twenty-three alleged gang members are facing charges that include murder, belonging to an armed gang, drug trafficking, and money laundering. Velasquez himself is facing eleven charges, including possession of firearms, distribution of cocaine, and allegedly ordering the death of Victor Alvarenga, who was shot dead in November 2019.

Among the detainees, authorities have also apprehended José Espinoza Sánchez, considered a gang lieutenant, and Velasquez’s girlfriend, Blanca García.

“The murders and other crimes of violence allegedly committed by these defendants were brutal, cold-blooded, and meaningless,” declared Breon Peace, the US Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, in a statement.

This operation marks a significant step in dismantling the MS-13 gang and bringing its members to justice. The authorities’ efforts to combat organized crime and ensure the safety of communities continue unabated.

How do the recent arrests and charges against MS-13 gang members demonstrate the commitment of law enforcement agencies to dismantle organized crime networks

Orcement agencies in other states also participated. The charges against the gang members include racketeering, drug trafficking, and murder.

Edenilson Velasquez Larin, also known as “Enix,” was identified as one of the top leaders of MS-13 in the United States. He played a key role in coordinating and directing criminal activities, including drug trafficking, extortion, and acts of violence. His arrest is a significant achievement for law enforcement agencies, as it disrupts the gang’s operations and weakens its influence in the country.

The operation that led to these arrests was part of a broader effort by US authorities to dismantle MS-13, which has been responsible for numerous acts of violence and criminal activities. The gang, originally formed in Los Angeles in the 1980s, has since spread its influence throughout the United States, Central America, and other parts of the world. Known for its brutality and involvement in drug trafficking, human smuggling, and other organized crimes, MS-13 has posed a major threat to communities where it operates.

With this latest crackdown, law enforcement agencies are sending a clear message that they will not tolerate the actions of MS-13 and other criminal organizations. By targeting the leaders and key members of the gang, authorities hope to disrupt its hierarchy and dismantle its operations.

The successful apprehension of Edenilson Velasquez Larin and his accomplices will undoubtedly have a significant impact on MS-13’s operations in New York and beyond. It serves as a reminder that, regardless of their size or influence, criminal organizations will be pursued and brought to justice by the relentless efforts of law enforcement agencies.

Through continued cooperation and investigation, US authorities aim to eradicate the presence of MS-13 and other gangs that pose a threat to communities nationwide. The arrests made today are a significant step in achieving this goal, and they send a powerful message that the fight against organized crime will continue until these groups are dismantled and their leaders brought to justice.