Safe Streets Task Force (SSTF) arrests 30 individuals
associated with the Almighty Latin King and Queen Nation (ALKQN) Gang

Today, Special Agent in Charge Laurie J. Bennett, Buffalo Division, Federal Bureau of Investigation; Resident Agent in Charge David DeJoe, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; Regional Director Eugenio P. Russi, New York State Division of Parole; Major Matthew Renneman, New York State Police; Chief John Askey, Amherst Police Department; and Commissioner H. McCarthy Gipson, Buffalo Police Department; announce the arrests of 30 individuals (6 in fugitive status) on charges involving federal drug related violations.

The following individuals are being sought or being arrested today:

   Those taken into custody today will be arraigned in federal court after initial processing.

   The Safe Streets Task Force (SSTF) arrested the above individuals for violations of the United States Code including the distribution of a controlled substance, conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance, the use of a communication facility in furtherance of a controlled substance felony and other narcotics related offenses. Please refer to court documents for each persons' specific charges. In addition to the execution of 36 federal arrest warrants, the SSTF also executed 8 federal search warrants for the following addresses/vehicles:

•          569 Niagara Falls Blvd., Amherst, NY
•          120 Potomac Ave., Buffalo, NY
•          10 Rano St., Buffalo, NY
•          43 Boyd St., Buffalo, NY
•          White 1988 Ford Expedition
•          Red Toyota Celica
•          Green Dodge Intrepid
•          Maroon Chevrolet Suburban

   The individuals arrested today will be arraigned in federal court after initial processing.

   This two year investigation by the SSTF into the illegal activities of the Almighty Latin King and Queen Nation gang included the use of sensitive techniques, controlled narcotics purchases, physical surveillance, and informant information. In partnership with local, state and federal law enforcement agencies, the FBI maintains 190 Safe Streets Task Forces to address the violent gang problem throughout the United States by aggressively investigating, disrupting, and dismantling violent street gangs, criminal motorcycle gangs, and prison gangs.

   During the execution of 8 federal search warrants today, and 3 search warrants executed prior to today, SSTF members seized 8 weapons and quantities of heroin, cocaine, and marijuana.

   These matters will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney George Burgasser. The fact that a defendant has been charged with a crime is merely an accusation, and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

The following agencies are members of the Safe Streets Task Force:          

• Amherst, New York, Police Department, Chief John Askey
• Buffalo, New York, Police Department, Commissioner H. McCarthy Gipson
• New York State Division of Parole, Regional Director Eugenio P. Russi
• New York State Police, Major Matthew Renneman
• Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Resident Agent in Charge David DeJoe
• Federal Bureau of Investigation, Special Agent in Charge Laurie J. Bennett

   In addition to the 6 SSTF members listed above, the following 12 agencies (representing approximately 300 law enforcement personnel) supported today's arrests and searches:  

• Amherst Police Department( including SWAT)
• Buffalo Police Department (including SWAT and K-9 unit)
• Cheektowaga Police Department (CPD) (including K-9 unit)
• Niagara County Sheriff's Office (NCSO)
• Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority (NFTA) (including K-9 unit)
• North Tonawanda Police Department (NTPD) (including K-9 unit)
• West Seneca Police Department (WSPD) (including K-9 unit)
• Erie County Probation (ECP)
• Erie County Sheriff's Office (ECSO)
• New York State Police (including MRTand K-9 unit)
• Customs and Border Patrol (CBP)
• Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA)
• Immigration Customs Enforcement (ICE)
• Transportation Security Administration (TSA)
• U.S. Marshal Service (USM)(including K-9 unit)
• U.S. Postal Inspection Service

      This investigation continues.