The District Attorney's Office of San Diego County announced the arrest of 39 members of the Mexican Mafia in a series of massive raids. The charges include offenses such as murder, conspiracy to commit murder, extortion, and firearm trafficking.
District Attorney Stephan stated: "This operation demonstrates once again that we will not allow criminal organizations to terrorize our communities with threats or violence. Everyone in every neighborhood deserves to be safe from crime and violence."
During the six-month undercover investigation, called Operation "The Taxes," authorities gathered evidence against 46 defendants for various crimes, including murders, attempted murders, thefts, arson, extortion, drug and weapon trafficking, and violent assaults. The operation uncovered that the prison gang controlled gangs in Southern California, using its members both inside and outside of prison to carry out criminal activities.
The Mexican Mafia, also known as "La EME," is the largest and most established prison gang in the United States. With over 50 years of existence, the criminal organization was initially formed in the California penal system. The group operated by extorting legal and illegal businesses, trafficking drugs and firearms, intimidating witnesses and victims, and committing violent acts such as beatings, shootings, and murders.
During the raids, weapons, narcotics were seized, and acts of violence were prevented. Authorities highlighted the extraordinary cooperation between law enforcement and the importance of dismantling the criminal operations of the Mexican Mafia. Those arrested face possible prison sentences ranging from three years to life imprisonment.
