The FBI and numerous other local police agencies arrested several suspected members from "The Almighty King and Queen Nation Gang" during a city wide raid Tuesday. Investigators say this is a very violent Latino street gang based in Chicago.
Buffalo FBI Special Agent-in-Charge Laurie Bennett said, "This is the first time that we've seen a national gang actually with a hierarchy here established in western New York." Buffalo Police Commissioner H. McCarthy Gipson said, "They're a very, very violent street gang. They had their tentacles stretched throughout the City of Buffalo and indeed throughout the nation." The suspects face charges including drug trafficking, weapons possession and money laundering.
Federal, state and local law enforcement agencies raided several locations early Tuesday morning. Their target - members and associates of the Latin and Queen Nation gang which is based out of Chicago. James Jancewicz (FBI Buffalo) said, "...probably the most violent Hispanic criminal gang in the country right now."
According to the FBI, the gang moved to Buffalo in the last couple of years with the exclusive purpose of committing crimes. Jancewicz said, "...primarily drug trafficking, but they're also involved in weapons violations, money laundering, gambling even, even murder." About 40 arrest teams were assembled for the early morning raids that happened at different locations across the City of Buffalo, including one on Potomac. Cutting edge investigative techniques were used against the gang, which has been under investigation in Buffalo for two years.
Jancewicz said, "It's run similar to a Fortune 500 company at times. They report back to the leadership in Chicago. There's different levels of responsibility that members have. They have regular meetings. And clearly it's very much organized."