Bronx DA Busts 84 Gangbangers in Wide Sweep

By KECIAH BAILEY & LA QUINTA CLARK

Bronx DA Darcel Clark announced the indictment of 84 local gang members on Thursday, in relation to 386 charges – including conspiracy to commit murder, distribute narcotics, attempted murder and weapon charges — “the largest gang takedown in Bronx history,” she said.

“Four gangs formed an alliance of evil and carved a path of destruction from the West Bronx to New England,” added Clark. “With reckless brutality these four gangs battled on the streets of the Bronx over drug profit made in New England for purely for the sake of violence, sometimes trapping innocent bystanders in the crossfire.”

Law officials started investigating the gangs’ activities eighteen months ago, “due to a spike in shootings in the Bronx 44th precinct,” officials said.

“These 84 gang members are facing a slew of charges that include 22 shootings whose carnage wreaked havoc on the neighborhoods of Tremont, Fordham and Highbridge,” said Police Commissioner William Bratton.

The men belonged to four different gangs – Eden Boys, Miami Ave, UGZ and RGZ – who competed over Bronx territory and who are responsible for guns and narcotics trafficking to and from New England states to the Bronx.

“Beyond their heinous indifference for the residents of the Bronx, they also went great lengths to push their narcotic poison outside of New York, preying on countless addicted users in my home state of Massachusetts,” said Bratton.

Local law enforcement received help in bringing the trafficking ring down by way of the Manchester and Massachusetts police department and their Facebook accounts. The young men ranged in age from eighteen to late twenties.

According to Clark, they were able to identify the gang members through social media pictures “They posted pictures of drugs, money, liquor and clothing.”

Of the 84 members – 37 were already incarcerated, 31 were arrested March 10 and 16 were still at large– with 58 of the men charged as major traffickers, which carries up to life in prison.