A sweeping federal racketeering indictment has targeted 70 members and associates of the Drew Street gang, a notorious criminal organization operating in Northeast Los Angeles. The indictment, unsealed today, outlines a pattern of violent crimes and narcotics trafficking, painting a picture of a gang deeply entrenched in the community around Drew Street.
This large-scale operation, involving over 500 law enforcement personnel, resulted in the arrest of 28 individuals on criminal charges and four more on immigration violations. These arrests are part of a broader effort to dismantle the Drew Street gang, which has been accused of murders, attempted murders of police officers, extortion, witness tampering, and extensive drug dealing. Many of the defendants were already in custody, and authorities are still searching for the remaining individuals named in the indictment.
The investigation, spearheaded by the HIDTA Task Force and the Los Angeles Police Department, utilized wiretaps to gather evidence against the gang. United States Attorney Thomas P. O’Brien highlighted this case as an example of effective collaboration between federal and local law enforcement, aiming to swiftly neutralize gang activity and reclaim neighborhoods.
The Drew Street gang’s violent reputation was further solidified earlier this year when gang members were implicated in the murder of a rival gang member in front of his granddaughter, followed by a shootout with LAPD officers. These incidents are specifically listed as racketeering acts within the indictment, underscoring the gang’s brazen disregard for law and public safety.
According to the 157-page indictment, the Drew Street gang, a clique within the larger Avenues gang, operates as a criminal enterprise centered around drug trafficking and violence. They are alleged to exert significant control over the area near Drew Street and Estara Avenue, maintaining their dominance through intimidation, extortion, robberies, and deadly attacks on rivals and innocent civilians alike.
Image: A street sign indicating “Drew Street” in Los Angeles. Alt text: Drew Street sign in Los Angeles neighborhood targeted by RICO indictment for gang activity.
The indictment names Francisco “Pancho” Real, 26, as the key leader, or “shot-caller,” of the Drew Street gang. Real is accused of managing the gang’s finances by collecting “taxes” from local drug dealers, a portion of which was allegedly funneled to the Mexican Mafia. The gang also reportedly generated funds for the Mexican Mafia through armed robberies and extortion targeting local businesses. The indictment alleges that the Mexican Mafia granted Real control of the Drew Street clique less than a year prior to the operation.
One striking example of the gang’s extortion tactics involved Real allegedly demanding $30,000 from local business owners in March. When one owner hesitated, Real reportedly threatened to kill him and burn down his businesses, asserting his control over the territory.
The first count of the indictment names 51 defendants and charges them with violating the RICO Act. This charge outlines the Drew Street gang as a criminal enterprise focused on distributing crack cocaine, powder cocaine, and methamphetamine. The RICO charge further details 87 racketeering acts, more than half of which occurred in the current year, including murder, witness intimidation, and attacks on law enforcement.
Timothy J. Landrum, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration, emphasized the community impact of the operation. “For years, ‘Drew Street’ in Los Angeles was synonymous with ‘gang,’ a place plagued by drugs, guns, and fear,” Landrum stated. He acknowledged the residents who felt change was impossible and declared that the arrests mark a turning point. “With today’s arrests of 28 gang members, it’s time to once again start referring to Drew Street not as a gang, but as a neighborhood and a community.”
Image: Los Angeles Police Department officers patrolling a street, symbolizing law enforcement presence in the Drew Street area. Alt text: LAPD officers patrol Drew Street Los Angeles following gang crackdown operation.
Beyond the criminal indictments, the Los Angeles City Attorney’s Office has initiated civil actions against nine properties on Drew Street and one nearby, filing nuisance abatement lawsuits. These lawsuits aim to implement measures such as armed security, surveillance cameras, stricter tenant screening, and eviction of individuals involved in drug activity. The city is also seeking to compel property owners to reside on-site, participate in neighborhood watch programs, and maintain their properties.
City Attorney Rocky Delgadillo highlighted the coordinated effort of law enforcement agencies. “Local, state, and Federal law enforcement agencies are working together every day to put criminal street gangs out of business and return our neighborhoods to our law-abiding residents,” Delgadillo said. He emphasized the unprecedented scale of the property abatement actions, demonstrating a commitment to innovative strategies against gangs.
The Los Angeles Police Department has outlined a three-phase plan to revitalize the Drew Street neighborhood. The current enforcement action and property abatement efforts constitute the first phase. The second phase involves deploying a mobile command center and holding a community meeting to engage with residents. The third phase will establish a sustained government presence in the neighborhood, with increased police patrols and community beautification projects.
Los Angeles Police Chief William J. Bratton described the operation as “the first phase of a three-step plan to restore hope and revitalize a residential and business community.” He affirmed the commitment to long-term positive change in the area.
During the investigation, authorities seized 35 firearms, including seven discovered during the recent arrests. The Drew Street gang reportedly acquired firearms from various sources, including individuals bringing guns from Arizona, which were then used in criminal activities.
Image: Agents from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) displaying seized weapons, representing the firepower removed from the Drew Street gang. Alt text: ATF agents display seized firearms in Drew Street gang investigation Los Angeles.
Christopher Shaefer, Assistant Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, underscored the importance of community safety. “Violence should not control our neighborhoods,” Shaefer stated. “The residents of Drew Street should sleep better tonight knowing that positive change is imminent.”
Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) also played a crucial role in the investigation. Mara “Chata” Leon, 44, mother of several other defendants, was arrested in April for being an illegal alien previously deported. Four additional individuals were arrested on immigration violations during the operation.
Robert Schoch, Special Agent in Charge for ICE in Los Angeles, described the Drew Street gang as “ruthless” and “notorious.” He emphasized ICE’s commitment to dismantling dangerous gangs and expressed satisfaction with the operation’s success in capturing suspected criminals who terrorized the neighborhood.
The Drew Street gang’s influence extended beyond their immediate neighborhood. Francisco Real, for instance, was arrested in Glendale, highlighting the gang’s reach. Glendale Police Chief Randy G. Adams noted that “citizens of Glendale have been victimized by members of the Drew Street area gang for many years,” welcoming the joint effort to prosecute these criminals.
Thomas M. Jankowski, Assistant Special Agent in Charge of IRS – Criminal Investigation, highlighted the financial aspect of the investigation. He stated that the indictment includes money laundering and asset forfeiture charges, reflecting the IRS’s focus on “the profit and financial gains of criminals.”
The defendants arrested in the operation are currently making their initial court appearances in United States District Court.
It is important to remember that an indictment is an accusation. All defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
This extensive investigation was a collaborative effort of the Los Angeles High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) Task Force, involving numerous federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies, demonstrating a united front against gang violence in the Drew Street area of Los Angeles. The participating agencies include the DEA, ATF, FBI, ICE, IRS-Criminal Investigation, Los Angeles City Attorney’s Office, United States Marshals Service, LAPD, and various police and sheriff’s departments from surrounding areas.
