10 Gang Members Arrested in Montana

It is hard to believe but they do have gang members doing dirt in Montana. I would never of thought that Montana could have gang activity but obviously they do.

A multi-agency operation, which ended July 2, targeted gang members and associates engaged in organized criminal activity. Seven of those arrested during this operation are known gang members or associates from the “Surenos” street gang. Three additional suspects were apprehended on other criminal and federal immigration charges. Eight were arrested in Bozeman,Montana and two in West Yellowstone, Montana. All were from Mexico.

This is the latest local effort in an ongoing national ICE-HSI initiative to target foreign-born gang members and gang associates. The following law enforcement agencies also participated in the operation: Gallatin County Sheriff’s Department, the Missouri River Drug Task Force, and the West Yellowstone Police Department.

Those in ICE custody are charged with administrative immigration violations and are awaiting deportation. In addition to immigration charges, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Montana has accepted prosecution for one of the men arrested for reentering the United States after being previously deported, which is a felony.

Information received by ICE-HSI and other law enforcement indicates that criminal gangs, such as the Surenos and others, are becoming increasingly involved in Montana with smuggling and distributing narcotics, laundering illicit drug proceeds, and other illegal activities.

The arrests were made as part of Operation Community Shield, a national initiative whereby ICE partners with federal, state and local law enforcement agencies to target the significant public safety threat posed by transnational criminal street gangs.