⏱ 2 min read
Derek Mercado, a 21-year-old member of the notorious Trinitarios gang, was caught with a loaded UZI machinegun in Lawrence, Massachusetts, on May 6, 2025. The incident occurred after a domestic violence report led to a broadcast alert to arrest Mercado, who was already in warrant status on two unrelated matters. When taken into custody, Mercado was found with a green duffel bag containing the Israel Military Industries UZI model submachinegun, loaded with 24 rounds.
The Trinitarios gang has been responsible for numerous murders and acts of violence across Massachusetts, prompting a multijurisdictional investigation dubbed Operation Paper Machetes. The probe began after four murders and a series of attempted murders and shootings in Lynn in 2023, allegedly committed by the Trinitarios.
Mercado pleaded guilty to possessing the UZI machinegun in November 2025 and was sentenced to 37 months in prison, followed by three years of supervised release. The sentencing is part of a larger crackdown on the Trinitarios gang, with several members facing charges and sentences in recent months.
The Trinitarios gang has been dealt significant blows in recent months, with members facing charges and sentences for various crimes, including racketeering conspiracy, kidnapping, and murder. The investigation and prosecution of the gang’s members are ongoing, with law enforcement agencies working to dismantle the organization and bring its leaders to justice.
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📋 Key Facts
- Crime: Violent Crime
- Defendant: Massachusetts
- Location: MA
- Source: DOJ Press Release
