President Trump’s pledge to wipe out the notoriously violent MS-13 gang is gaining traction — at least in the Empire State. Federal officials have rounded up close to 40 accused members of MS-13 in New York City and Long Island in the 30 days following vows by Trump and Attorney General Jeff Sessions to crack down on the gang, known for terrorizing immigrant communities.
SEE ALSO Trump vows to wipe out MS-13 gang in short order Trump vows to wipe out MS-13 gang in short order Of the 45 New York-area gang arrests over the last month by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Homeland Security, 39 were affiliated with MS-13, which has been blamed for a string of recent murders in normally placid Long Island, the feds said.
Those who are not charged with crimes will be processed for deportation, the feds said.
ICE and HSIA announced the arrests Wednesday as part of a newly formed operation aimed at combating MS-13 in New York and Long Island.
The agencies formed “Operation Matador” last month — together with the NYPD, the Suffolk County Police Department and the Nassau County Police Department — following a high-profile visit by Sessions to Long Island to address the suburban enclave’s growing concerns about MS-13 violence.
Treasury Department officials labeled MS-13 a “transnational criminal organization” in 2012, noting that its members have been involved in drug trafficking, kidnapping, human smuggling, murder and sex trafficking in the US and several other countries.
Like the Italian Mafia, MS-13 members follow a strict code of conduct, including beating in increments of 13 seconds for members who break the rules and a “green light” to kill, on sight, any government cooperators.