SAINT ANTONIO, TEXAS — In a major crackdown on the Mexican American prison gang Hermanos de Pistoleros Latinos (HPL), 24 alleged members and associates were indicted for a litany of drug and firearm trafficking charges. The U.S. Attorney Jaime Esparza announced the news at a Thursday press conference, revealing that law enforcement had arrested 19 gang members as part of the operation.
Named in the 24-count indictment are conspiracy charges related to methamphetamine, heroin, cocaine distribution; firearms possession for drug trafficking purposes; and firearm trafficking. Should they be convicted, the defendants face sentences ranging from 15 to 20 years or life imprisonment.
The arrest wave was led by the FBI and DEA, with support from local agencies. Five of those indicted were already in custody before Tuesday’s sweep.
“These arrests will put a dent into HPL’s drug trafficking activities, their main source of income,” said Special Agent Daniel Comeaux of the DEA Houston Division. “The money made outside funds members inside and helps the gang thrive at the expense of our communities.”
Among those arrested were Daniel Natividad, 50, from Hebronville; Brian Zepeda, 39, of San Antonio; and Jesus Mendoza Jr., 50, also from San Antonio. Several others were already in custody, including Antonio Rios Jr., 33, and Vidal Morales Jr., 49.
“We are truly safer today,” said Special Agent Aaron Tapp of the FBI’s San Antonio Field Office. “There are fewer firearms in the hands of bad actors, and one less trafficking organization doing business in South Texas.”
RELATED: 24 Hermanos de Pistoleros Latinos Members Charged in Massive Texas Drug Bust
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Key Facts
- State: Texas
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Drug Trafficking|Fraud & Financial Crimes|Violent Crime|Cybercrime|Public Corruption|Weapons|Human Trafficking|White Collar Crime|Organized Crime
- Source: Official Source ↗
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