The most powerful gangs you’ve never heard of.
That’s how LA’s top prosecutor, Bill Essayli, describes three India-based transnational crime syndicates now in the crosshairs of the formidable US government.
The feds led a series of raids this week spanning the United States, Canada and Europe, nabbing 24 alleged gangsters –– including 11 in California.
It was a massive bust: In California alone, agents served 34 search warrants: 23 in the Sacramento region and 11 around LA.
Good; that’s nice work.
Prosecutors say the thugs used California as a cash register for the sordid global operation –– and amassed millions of dollars from extortion schemes, theft and gun- and drug-trafficking.
The gangs, two of which were reportedly run by kingpins imprisoned in India, were barbaric, prosecutors say, with other alleged activities including murder, assault, kidnapping and maiming.
Yikes.
These are some big-time bad hombres, and good for the feds –– and the local law enforcement agencies that assisted –– for taking them on.
It’s another fine showing by the Trump team, which has fought major crime with care, vigor and resolve.
In fact, the feds are on a roll.
In recent weeks, they charged 25 people with drug trafficking near LA’s decrepit MacArthur Park; indicted 43 alleged members and associates of the lethal Mexican Mafia; and repeatedly cracked down on health-care fraud against US taxpayers –– including a recent takedown of an alleged $267 million hospice fraud ring in Los Angeles.
It’s good to see so much action, focus and progress on ensuring consequences for those who flout the law, victimize others and abuse the public trust.
The series of federal wins demonstrates the difference concerted investigation, prosecution and proficiency can make.
California, plagued by years of entrenched crime and fraud, has a long way to go.
But it’s a better, safer place each time law enforcement sweeps criminals off the streets.
Perhaps the gangs you’ve never heard of will now live in infamy –– or, at least, in the bowels of a US prison.
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