Eighteen Brazilian nationals across several Bay State communities have been charged with illegal gun sales, as the feds seized more than 100 firearms in the gang-related crackdown.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office on Wednesday announced the results of a year-long federal investigation into illegal firearm sales across Massachusetts.
The feds allege that some of the guns were tied to gang-related activities involving a large transnational criminal organization, Primeiro Comando da Capital — as well as smaller, local street gangs, specifically the “Tropa de Sete” and “Trem Bala” street gangs.
Primeiro Comando da Capital, originally founded in the prison systems in Sao Paulo, Brazil, is one of the largest criminal organizations in Brazil and Latin America.
Primeiro Comando da Capital members and their associates are allegedly known to commit violent offenses, including murders, armed robberies, kidnappings and the coordination of a transnational drug trafficking operation.
About 110 guns, trafficking quantities of fentanyl, and ammunition have been seized over the course of the investigation, which began last year.
The firearms include handguns, rifles, short-barreled rifles and shotguns that were primarily trafficked from areas in Florida and South Carolina into Massachusetts.
Eighteen Brazilian nationals have been charged separately with federal firearms offenses over the course of the investigation. The majority of the defendants are in the U.S. illegally.
Some of the communities that they live in are: Boston, Chelsea, Revere, Everett, Malden, Weymouth, Framingham, Marlboro, Plymouth, and Yarmouth.
“As alleged, these defendants — most of whom have no legal status in the United States — played a role in bringing deadly weapons into Massachusetts, some as traffickers and others as unlawful possessors,” Massachusetts U.S. Attorney Leah Foley said in a statement.
“This kind of lawlessness fuels violent crime and empowers transnational criminal organizations that profit from chaos and fear,” Foley added. “It puts American lives at risk. This case is a testament to the strength of our federal, state, and local law enforcement partnerships in keeping our communities safe and upholding the rule of law.”
ICE Boston was involved in the bust.
“Not only were they allegedly members or associates of dangerous transnational criminal organizations, but they were also allegedly involved in trafficking significant amounts of illegal firearms, ammunition, and fentanyl,” said ICE Boston ERO Director Patricia Hyde. “ICE Boston will continue to prioritize the safety of our public by arresting and removing illegal alien offenders from our New England neighborhoods.”