Community Corner

Police Arrest 9 Members of the Mexican Mafia in Long Beach

Most of those charged are members of the Longos street gang, one of the largest and most violent in the Long Beach area.

Nine members of a Mexican Mafia-affiliated street gang were arrested in the Long Beach area Tuesday in connection with federal charges.

The majority of the 16 defendants were charged with conspiracy and possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine.

One person was indicted for being a felon in possession of a firearm, according to Untied States Attorney Andrew Birotte and Long Beach Police Department Police Chief Jim McDonnell.

Four of those charged were already in state or federal custody. Two were arrested in Florida and Texas and nine were taken into custody in the Long Beach area. One was a fugitive.

Most of those charged are members of the Longos street gang, one of the largest and most violent in the Long Beach area.

The case was investigated by the FBI's Safe Streets Task Force in Long Beach, made up of Long Beach police and FBI agents.

Assistance was also provided by other law enforcement partners, including the Los Angeles Police Department, and the sheriff's department as well as other county agencies.  

Named in the indictments were:
-- Gerardo Galvan, 31, of San Pedro;
-- John David Martin, 30, of Cudahy;
-- Manuel Cuanriquez, 31, of Downey;
-- John Gonzalez, 33, of Long Beach;
-- Raudel Sandoval, 32, of Long Beach;
-- Danny Jose Salazar, 28, of Long Beach;
-- Geraldo Santos, 30, of Bellflower;
-- Joseph Ferguson, 41, of Florida;
-- Martha Torres, 25, of Wilmington;
-- Francisco Sianez of Texas;
-- Daniel Martinez, 25, in state custody;
-- Jose Antonio Baldovinos, 35, deported;
-- Baltazar Santacruz, 35, in federal custody;
-- Julio Mario Peraza, 27, deported;
-- Jose Manuel Gomez, 37, state custody;
-- Mario J. Engfui, 33, also charged with murder in connection with the investigation.

-City News Service



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