On Long Island, three leaders of the MS-13 gang have been apprehended and accused of various terrorism and racketeering offenses.
Additionally, an extensive indictment was made public on Thursday, which identified ten more of the organization’s “top-ranking” leaders.
“Today’s action makes clear that there is no hiding place, anywhere in the world, for the leaders of violent gangs that terrorize American communities,” said Attorney General Merrick Garland. “The Justice Department will continue to use the full force of our law enforcement authorities to disrupt and dismantle MS-13.”
Mexican authorities captured Vladimir Antonio Arevalo-Chavez, Walter Yovani Hernandez-Rivera, and Marlon Antonio Menjivar-Portillo, who have been extradited to the U.S. on Wednesday, according to the Justice Department.
The arrests were part of a joint operation against MS-13, a gang operating in the U.S., Mexico, El Salvador, and other countries.
However, four additional leaders named in the indictment are still at large, while six are in custody in El Salvador, and the Justice Department intends to pursue their extradition.
“The FBI will continue to vigorously investigate and hold transnational organized groups like MS-13 and their leaders accountable for the continued violent and terrorist criminal activities they orchestrate,” said FBI Director Christopher Wray.