Department of Justice Charges 81 Puerto Rican Gang Members in Major Bust
DOJ charged 81 Puerto Rican gang members with drug trafficking and firearms offenses.
Why it matters: Legal and compliance professionals should note this case as it highlights intensified federal targeting of violent drug trafficking networks and showcases effective inter-agency collaboration under a new Homeland Security initiative.
- 81 alleged members of Puerto Rican gang 'Los Baja Deo' charged with drug and firearms crimes.
- 70 defendants arrested on August 26, 2023, in Puerto Rico by FBI and Puerto Rico Police Department.
- Indictment covers distribution of 340 kg fentanyl or fentanyl-laced drugs, 2,200 kg cocaine, and $49 million in illegal proceeds.
- 21 firearms seized during the operation under the Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) initiative created by Executive Order 14159.
On August 27, 2023, the Department of Justice announced federal charges against 81 alleged members of the Puerto Rican gang 'Los Baja Deo' (LBD) for drug trafficking and firearms offenses. Authorities arrested 70 defendants on August 26, 2023, in a coordinated operation led by the FBI and the Puerto Rico Police Department.
The indictment alleges LBD distributed at least 340 kilograms of fentanyl or fentanyl-laced drugs and 2,200 kilograms of cocaine, generating over $49 million in illicit proceeds. Officials seized 21 firearms during the investigation, which targeted multiple public housing projects and neighborhoods in Mayagüez and western Puerto Rico, including Sábalo Gardens, Cuesta Las Piedras, and Yagüez.
Attorney General Todd Blanche stated, "These 81 defendants are alleged drug traffickers who maintained a steady supply of highly addictive and lethal substances that endangered the community and fueled violence." This case is part of the Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) initiative—a federal program established by Executive Order 14159 to enhance coordination among federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies to dismantle violent criminal organizations.
FBI Director Kash Patel highlighted LBD’s operational reach, including the trafficking of controlled substances to the continental U.S. using the postal service. Michael Mayer, DEA Caribbean Division Special Agent in Charge, said this operation demonstrates the HSTF’s mission to disrupt violent drug trafficking networks effectively.
This case exemplifies federal prioritization of violent drug trafficking enforcement and underscores the importance of multi-agency collaboration for legal professionals tracking government actions in criminal prosecutions and investigations.
By the numbers:
- 81 charged — alleged members of 'Los Baja Deo' facing federal drug and firearms charges
- 70 arrested — defendants taken into custody on August 26, 2023, in Puerto Rico
- 340 kg fentanyl and fentanyl-laced drugs — quantity involved in distribution
- $49 million — estimated illicit proceeds from drug trafficking