'Grape Street Crips' charges announced
Published: March 27, 2008 at 1:48 AM
LOS ANGELES, March 27 (UPI) -- U.S. Attorney General Michael Mukasey announced Wednesday 13 Los Angeles gang members and their affiliates were indicted on drug charges.
The 10-count indictment accuses 12 members of the "Grape Street Crips" gang of conspiring to produce and supply large amounts of phencyclidine, or PCP, in Los Angeles and other areas of the United States, a U.S. Justice Department news release said. Another indictment accuses a 13th member with PCP distribution in Los Angeles.
Four suspects were arrested Wednesday and five had previously been arrested on separate charges.
"Today's action demonstrates our commitment to using every tool at our disposal to strike a blow against this kind of gang activity," Mukasey said.
The Grape Street crackdown comes after multiple lengthy probes by many groups, including the FBI, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the Los Angeles Police Department.
Senior Grape Street member Alphonso Eugene Foster, 38, is thought to be the PCP operation ringleader, the release said. If convicted, the 12 main suspects could be given life prison sentences.
The 10-count indictment accuses 12 members of the "Grape Street Crips" gang of conspiring to produce and supply large amounts of phencyclidine, or PCP, in Los Angeles and other areas of the United States, a U.S. Justice Department news release said. Another indictment accuses a 13th member with PCP distribution in Los Angeles.
Four suspects were arrested Wednesday and five had previously been arrested on separate charges.
"Today's action demonstrates our commitment to using every tool at our disposal to strike a blow against this kind of gang activity," Mukasey said.
The Grape Street crackdown comes after multiple lengthy probes by many groups, including the FBI, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the Los Angeles Police Department.
Senior Grape Street member Alphonso Eugene Foster, 38, is thought to be the PCP operation ringleader, the release said. If convicted, the 12 main suspects could be given life prison sentences.
© 2008 United Press International. All Rights Reserved.
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This material may not be reproduced, redistributed, or manipulated in any form.
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