20 arrested in Corpus Christi during operation targeting gang members

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas - Law enforcement authorities arrested 20 gang members and their associates for robbery, aggravated assault, a felon possessing firearms, and drug and parole violations. This is the latest local effort in an ongoing U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) initiative targeting foreign-born gang members.

This two-day multi-agency operation ended April 21 under the auspices of "Operation Community Shield," a national initiative where ICE partners with federal, state and local law enforcement to target significant public safety threats posed by transnational street gangs.

The 20 gang members and associates arrested during this operation include the following street gang affiliations:

• AD MOB, (1);
• Aryan Brotherhood, (2);
• Chula Vista, (1);
• Little Mobster, (1);
• Mexican Mafia, (2);
• Suicide Barrio, (2);
• Surenos Trece (SUR-13), (1);
• Raza Unida, (3); and
• Texas Syndicate, (7).

"The effective removal of dangerous gang members and their associates from our streets makes our communities safer," said Fred Schroeder, assistant special agent in charge of ICE HSI in Corpus Christi. "ICE continues to work closely with our local, state and federal law enforcement partners to dismantle gang activity in our neighborhoods."

The joint takedown was conducted by the following agencies: ICE HSI; Corpus Christi Police Department; the Bureau of alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; and the U.S. Marshals Service. All were U.S. citizens arrested on outstanding State of Texas arrest warrants, and turned over to local law enforcement.