News Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 08, 2008
Contact: SA Sarah Pullen
Public Information Officer
(213) 621-6827

Rolling 30's Harlem Crips Gang Targeted
- Two dozen arrested on drug and weapons charges

OCT 08 - (LOS ANGELES) Early this morning, 22 federal defendants and two state defendants allegedly linked to the Rolling 30s Harlem Crips street gang were arrested on drug and weapons charges. This joint investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration’s (DEA) Southern California Drug Task Force (SCDTF), the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) and the United States Attorney’s Office Central District of California focused on known gang members who are convicted felons actively trafficking narcotics while being armed. Over the course of this two-year investigation, law enforcement seized cocaine and crack cocaine, 495 tablets of 80mg oxycodone, 26 firearms, more than 800 rounds of ammunition and approximately $27,500 in narcotics.

“Street gangs continue to bring fear into our communities through violence and intimidation,” said DEA Special Agent in Charge Timothy J. Landrum. “The gang members arrested today were involved in trafficking dangerous drugs, including pharmaceutical drugs like oxycodone. These Rolling 30s gang members have been taken off the streets of Los Angeles as a result of the joint efforts of federal, state and local law enforcement.”

Many of the arrested gang members have significant criminal histories related to the charges brought today, including felony burglary, robbery and other convictions, as well as previous arrests for robbery, burglary and grand theft of property.

United States Attorney Thomas P. O’Brien stated: “The 36 defendants charged in the federal indictments engaged in a wide range of criminal activity, including trafficking in oxycodone up and down the West Coast and distributing crack cocaine across the Los Angeles area. However, perhaps the most disturbing allegation against several defendants is their plan to use teenagers in a plot to stage a home-invasion robbery to steal a large quantity of cocaine. These charges demonstrate the danger posed by these gang members and their associates.”

In addition to firearms and narcotic activities, Rolling 30s Harlem Crips gang members allegedly engaged in home invasion crimes. In late 2006, investigators learned that gang members were involved in “flocking,” a term gang members use to refer to home invasion robberies and burglaries they commit. These individuals allegedly drive to different cities throughout the Los Angeles area and commit residential burglaries to steal money, drugs, guns and other items of significant value to them. Investigators identified several different gang members involved in “flocking” who called themselves the “Cash Me Out Boyz.”

“As the violent crime police, ATF will continue to work diligently towards our goal of dismantling organized criminal groups who pollute our neighborhoods,” said Special Agent in Charge John A. Torres of ATF’s Los Angeles Field Division. “The common goal of reducing violent crime in our cities will be achieved through the collaborative efforts of federal, state and local law enforcement. The warrants executed this morning are an outstanding example of a collaborative effort made by ATF and our fellow law enforcement counterparts to make our cities safer.”

“This task force is not only about removing guns and narcotics from our communities,” said LAPD Deputy Chief Kenneth Garner, South Bureau. “This is also about taking dangerous criminals off the streets of Los Angeles.”

An indictment contains allegations that a defendant has committed a crime. Every defendant is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.

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