Sweep nabs 32, hauls in 79 guns
Lawrence gang ties targeted in ‘Operation Emerald Crush’
State and federal law enforcement officers recovered 79 guns and charged 32 suspects with ties to the deadly Trinitarios gang in the greater Lawrence area in a massive, early Friday morning sweep called “Operation Emerald Crush.”
“Cooperating witnesses and undercover officers bought 79 firearms on the street, often multiple guns in one transaction. This was in addition to buying heroin and cocaine, sometimes from the same people selling guns,” said U.S. Attorney Andrew Lelling in a press conference Friday morning.
Five of the individuals are still at large while the other 27 are in custody, according to authorities.
The operation involved more than 70 federal, state and local officers who carried out the arrests of suspects alleged to have sold massive amounts of firearms and drugs including cocaine, fentanyl, heroin and crack cocaine with an estimated street value of $120,000.
The Dominican Trinitarios gang is “hardwired for violence,” according to Joe Bonavolonta, an FBI Boston special agent. He said authorities believe gang members and their associates are involved with drug trafficking, armed robbery, home invasion, kidnappings and shootings.
Gang members are often recruiting minors from Lawrence and Methuen High School, said Bonavolonta.
“Today’s arrests have disrupted a violent firearms and drug trafficking ring and sent a clear message— if you’re hustling guns and drugs in our cities, you will wake up one morning and find a law enforcement officer at your door,” said Bonavolonta.
Out of the 79 guns, which came in from out of state, 17 were stolen and at least two were used in shootings. In one case, undercover officers were able to buy 27 guns in one transaction. Minors with ties to the gang sold four guns.
The guns purchased by officers ranged from semiautomatic assault-style rifles to handguns.
Most of the gang members have extensive criminals histories. One defendant has 54 entries on his record, Lelling said, and another has 18.
Jason Molina, acting special agent in charge of Boston Homeland Security Investigations, said Trinitarios gang members often steal identities for personal gain and prey on the weak and drug-addicted. “They seek to make a profit off the vulnerable, those addicted to deadly drugs like fentanyl,” Molina said. “Here is my message to all the gang bangers and drug dealers in Lawrence and in the commonwealth — we are here to tell you to get out, you’re not welcome here.”
Lelling said gang activity in the Merrimack Valley is growing.
“This case is part of our ongoing effort to improve the lives of residents in Lawrence and the surrounding towns by tamping down on street level violence and drug trafficking,” said Lelling.
Federal drug trafficking conspiracy and distribution charges provide a sentence ranging from 20 to 40 years or up to life in prison depending on the quantity. Fines for the crime can total up to $1 million, $5 million and $10 million.
Federal firearms charges provide for sentences of up to 10 years in prison and a fine of $250,000.