SAN JUAN – In a major legal victory against criminal organizations, the U.S. Justice Department has filed charges against more than 80 individuals linked to a notorious Puerto Rican gang, revealed Attorney General Todd Blanche. His announcement on Thursday was part of a broader visit to the island, aligning with the Trump administration’s vigorous campaign against violent crime.
Federal prosecutors have identified the gang, known as “Los Baja Deo,” as a major player in drug trafficking, with a notorious history of dealing fentanyl, cocaine, and other illicit substances. Originating from Mayagüez on the island’s west coast, the group allegedly amassed nearly $50 million from their activities. According to Blanche, the gang is linked to violent crimes including shootings, kidnappings, and murders, alongside distributing over 340 kilograms of fentanyl and fentanyl-infused narcotics.
“Our Homeland Security Task Forces throughout the nation stand united in their mission to eradicate criminal cartels, foreign gangs, and transnational criminal organizations infiltrating the United States,” Attorney General Blanche affirmed to reporters, speaking from the U.S. attorney’s office in San Juan.
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Blanche’s visit to this U.S. Caribbean territory spotlights the current administration’s strategic focus on dismantling the cartels and gangs that pose significant threats through drug trafficking and violence. Under President Trump’s administration, the Justice Department has been dramatically realigned, prioritizing the eradication of illegal immigration and violent criminal activities.
“These 81 violent gang members now face the scales of justice, and any who aspire to take their place will meet the same fate,” declared Héctor Ramírez-Carbó, the acting U.S. attorney for Puerto Rico. “Today marks a new chapter for the families of Mayagüez, who can once again relish the peace and safety of their community.”
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