Major Gang Takedown in Manhattan: 30 Indicted
In a significant law enforcement operation, Manhattan prosecutors have indicted 30 individuals on Thursday, targeting members from three notorious gangs believed to be at the center of violence in Washington Heights and Inwood. Officials stated that these gangs were responsible for a staggering 50% of the shootings reported in these neighborhoods this year alone.
The Manhattan District Attorney, Alvin L. Bragg, announced that the criminal enterprises were implicated in a series of violent incidents, leading to seven fatalities and 18 shootings since late 2018. This wave of violence was ignited when a gang member murdered a rival, which subsequently escalated into a brutal turf war that left the Upper Manhattan communities grappling with trauma, fear, and an overwhelming sense of insecurity.
The timing of this indictment is particularly critical as the city has been facing a concerning rise in youth crime over the past seven years. Authorities are doubling down on their efforts to dismantle gang operations through comprehensive and sweeping indictments. “I want to be very clear: If you traffic illegal firearms into Manhattan, or use guns to commit violence against fellow Manhattanites, you will be held accountable,” Mr. Bragg asserted emphatically.
Among those indicted, there were:
- 18 members of the 200 gang
- 8 members from the 6 Block crew
- 4 individuals affiliated with the Own Every Dollar organization
The charges they face include a variety of conspiracy counts, illegal gun possession, and at least 11 counts of second-degree murder, underscoring the severity of their alleged criminal activities.
