78 Bloods and Latin Kings Members and Associates Charged with Narcotics Trafficking

A coordinated multi-agency law enforcement strike in "Operation Blood Drive" and "Operation Black Crown" shut down vast drug operations in Newburgh, New York.

In a coordinated strike earlier today in Newburgh, N.Y., nearly 600 federal, state, and local law enforcement officers from the Hudson Valley Safe Streets Task Force arrested 19 defendants. Forty-four defendants were already in state or federal law enforcement custody. The remaining 15 defendants are still being sought.

The defendants associated with the Bloods and Latin Kings in Operation Blood Drive and Operation Black Crown who were taken into custody today were expected to be presented in federal court today.

In connection with these arrests, federal and local law enforcement officers also executed court-authorized search warrants on 20 locations tied to many of the named defendants. During the arrests and searches, agents and officers seized, among other evidence: one machete, one shotgun, three handguns, and thousands of dollars in drug proceeds, as well as crack cocaine.

See the allegations contained in the two indictments announced today.