Member Of Aryan Brotherhood Arrested In Surprise In HSI, ICE Gang Operation

A U.S. citizen and member of the Aryan Brotherhood was arrested in Surprise, Arizona, by Phoenix Homeland Security Investigations special agents as part of a six-week nationwide gang operation. The operation led by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) concluded this weekend with 1,378 arrests across the U.S., 55 in Arizona – the largest gang surge conducted by HSI to date.

The operation targeted gang members and associates involved in transnational criminal activity including drug trafficking, weapons smuggling, human smuggling, sex trafficking, murder and racketeering.

Arizona arrests included 48 U.S. citizens, seven foreign nationals, 16 confirmed gang members, and seven gang associates.

Numerous state, local and federal law enforcement partners, including ICE’s Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO), participated in the HSI-led operation, which ran March 26 to May 6.

“HSI is committed to combatting gang violence and criminal activity in Arizona. The success of this operation is directly attributed to the ongoing collaboration with our federal, state and local law enforcement partners,” said Scott Brown, special agent in charge of HSI Phoenix. “Together, we dealt a serious blow to gang members and other serious criminals as we strive to make our communities safer.”

Of the 16 gang members locally arrested, 12 are U.S. citizens and four are foreign nationals two of which are wanted in connection with homicides committed in the U.S.

Individuals are confirmed as gang members if they admit membership in a gang; have been convicted of violating Title 18 USC 521 or any other federal or state law criminalizing or imposing civil consequences for gang-related activity; or if they meet a combination of other criteria such as having tattoos identifying a specific gang or being identified as a gang member by a reliable source.

HSI enforcement actions occurred around the country, with the greatest activity taking place in the Houston, New York, Atlanta and Newark areas.

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