Feds charge 81 accused Puerto Rican gangsters with drug, gun offenses

The Justice Department on Thursday charged 81 accused members of a violent Puerto Rican gang, Los Baja Deo, with drug trafficking offenses. More than 20 were also charged with firearm offenses related to drug trafficking. The charges came the day after the FBI and the Puerto Rico Police Department arrested 70 of the defendants in an operation that included helicopters and 13 SWAT teams. The Justice Department did not say whether the remaining accused gang members were already in custody.

The gang members are accused of acting in various roles, beginning in 2021, to distribute mass quantities of fentanyl, heroin, and cocaine, along with other drugs, according to the Justice Department. Los Baja Deo made over $49 million from its operations. The gang also committed shootings and murders to protect its operations and caused violence and chaos in neighborhoods in west Puerto Rico, officials said.

If convicted, what penalties would they face? Those facing the drug charges could receive sentences of 10 years to life in prison. Those charged with both drug and firearms offenses could spend 15 years to life in prison. The Justice Department is also seeking a court order for the gang to forfeit more than $49.7 million in drug-related earnings.

Dig deeper: Read my report on the status of gang violence in Haiti.