Reputed Gang Members Busted in Washington Heights

MYFOXNY.COM - The NYPD and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) rounded up dozens of members or associates of the Trinitarios criminal organization on drug trafficking charges.
They were indicted after a two-year investigation by the NYPD, ATF and DEA into the Trinitarios.

Beginning last night and continuing through this morning, approximately 200 law enforcement officers, including members of the NYPD, ATF, and DEA, United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and the United States Marshals Service for the Southern District of New York (USMS), have been making arrests and conducting searches in Washington Heights and the Bronx.

The Trinitarios are accused of being a Dominican gang that operated and controlled drug trafficking on at least four city blocks in the area of West 171st Street through West 174th Streets in the Washington Heights neighborhood.

The defendants face marijuana, cocaine and crack cocaine charges.

Prosecutors also say members of the Trinitarios also used violence to protect and expand their drug-trafficking operation, and to protect fellow members of the organization.

AP Report: NYPD Arrests 34 Suspected Gang Members

New York City police say they've arrested 34 suspected members of a notorious street gang, including the citywide leader of the organization.

NYPD captain Gerry Farrell says the suspects are members of the Trinitarios, a Dominican-based gang. He says a grand jury indicted 41 people and police are still looking for seven of them.

Police say the gang members are accused of selling drugs, possessing illegal firearms and are responsible for at least one slaying.

The investigation began about 20 months ago after a homicide drew investigators' attention to the gang.

Farrell says the gang has more than 200 members in New York City and is also located in other parts of the country. He says they have become more violent in recent years.