Todd Prussman
Boston Herald
BOSTON — Over 60 members of the Latin Kings Massachusetts and East Coast leadership have been charged with racketeering for attempted murders, gun and drug offenses, and witness retaliation, according to the U.S. Attorney’s office in Boston.
Sixty-two defendants were charged Wednesday.
“The criminal enterprise and these charged defendants participated in numerous acts of violence, including conspiracy to murder, attempted murder, armed assault with intent to murder, witness retaliation and tampering, laundering of monetary instruments, possession of firearms and ammunition, and drug distribution,” prosecutors said in a motion for pretrial detention submitted Thursday morning.
“Each of the defendants poses a significant risk to public safety, a serious risk of flight, and a serious risk of obstructing justice.”
Multiple arrests took place this morning.
The Massachusetts State Police said dozens of troopers, K9 and tactical units, “assisted federal authorities in this morning’s takedowns.”
The arrests took place at various locations across Massachusetts, according to the state police.
The five-year investigation was dubbed “Operation Throne Down” according to the Department of Justice.
The investigation involved the FBI’s North Shore Gang Task Force and the Massachusetts Department of Correction, according to information from U.S. Attorney Andrew Lelling’s office.