Ten foreign-born gang members with ties to local violent street gangs were arrested Charlotte, NC, Wednesday following an Immigration and Customs Enforcement led operation, according to reports obtained by the National Association of Chiefs of Police's Liaison Committee.The operation, dubbed Community Shield, was a multi-agency effort spearheaded by ICE. Among the participating agencies were the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department (CMPD); the United States Marshals Service and the North Carolina Department of Crime Control and Public Safety's Alcohol Law unit (NC-ALE).The operation targeted foreign-born members and associates of MS-13, Surenos, Brown Pride, SUR-13 and Latin King street gangs. Those arrested were illegally present in the United States and are now in ICE custody; however, four of them, although administratively arrested, were referred to the United States Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina for possible criminal prosecution due to criminal offenses that include possession of marijuana, re-entering the United States after deportation, and possession of a firearm."We will continue teaming with our law enforcement partners to target those terrorizing our communities," said Joan Nash-Scavazzon, acting assistant special agent in charge of ICE's Office of Investigations in Charlotte."Through these partnerships, we will use all of our combined law enforcement tools to thwart the criminal efforts of street gangs."

Transnational gangs pose a growing public safety threat to communities throughout the country. It is estimated that there are over 900 different criminal gangs in the United States. These gangs no longer own turf in just the inner city but have spread their criminal networks throughout suburban and rural communities.

ICE officials say the operation targeted members and associates of the MS-13, Surenos, Brown Pride, SUR-13 and Latin King street gangs. Those arrested were in the United States illegally, authorities say, and they are in federal custody. But authorities say four suspects were referred to the U.S. Attorney's office for possible additional charges, including possession of marijuana, possession of a firearm, and re-entering the United States after deportation.Federal agents have arrested 10 foreign-born gang members with ties to Charlotte-area street gangs, according to federal officials.The arrests took place Wednesday in the Charlotte area, according to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
ICE agents were supported by Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police, North Carolina's Alcohol Law Enforcement (ALE) agency, the N.C. Department of Crime Control, and the U.S. Marshals Service.
"We will continue teaming with our law enforcement partners to target those terrorizing our communities," said Joan Nash-Scavazzon, acting assistant special agent in charge of ICE's operations in the Charlotte area.