Police launch South End gang, guns sweep

Police launch South End gang, guns sweep
By O’Ryan Johnson  |   Thursday, October 28, 2010  |  http://www.bostonherald.com  |  Local Coverage

A crackdown on a violent South End drug gang should serve as a warning to anyone who uses a gun for crime, Boston police Commissioner Edward Davis said, after a sweep picked up nine suspected gang members on drug charges.


Davis said cops noted increased firearms activity in the South End in July and August of this year and attributed that spike to the gang.


“Let this serve as a message to any individuals engaging in violent activity in our community,” Davis said. “We will continue our ceaseless efforts to hold violent perpetrators accountable.”


Police said the gang is suspected in shootings and related drug violence, robberies, break-ins and street crime around the area where they worked. Davis said the sweep was dubbed Operation National League and noted that several members of the gang wore Pittsburgh Pirates hats while dealing drugs. He said the group tried to intimidate anyone who walked through the area of the Villa Victoria projects and were trying to establish an “open air drug market.”


“We will not allow that to happen,” Davis said.


Eight of the suspects were charged with distribution of crack cocaine in a school zone. A ninth person was arrested on a federal indictment for distribution of crack cocaine. The investigation started when fed-up residents complained to police about crime in the area of Dade Park.


He said police carried out a monthslong investigation and then fanned out across the neighborhood, home to some of the city’s priciest real estate and finest restaurants, yesterday to make the arrests.


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