Twenty-two members of an Oxnard street gang were arrested Wednesday on drug-trafficking charges.
Members of the Colonia Chiques, Ventura County's largest street gang, were arrested after an eight-month investigation focusing on the gang's activities. Over the last few weeks, a federal grand jury in Los Angeles returned nine indictments, charging 12 defendants with distributing methamphetamine, heroin and crack cocaine.
Ten out of 12 defendants named in the federal indictments have been arrested, while the remaining two are fugitives.
In addition to the federal defendants, 14 people were arrested Wednesday morning on state charges to be prosecuted by the Ventura County district attorney's office.
Formed in the 1970s, the gang has more than 1,000 documented members.
If convicted, most of the defendants named in the grand jury indictments could get from five to 40 years in federal prison. Two defendants face potential life sentences because of prior convictions.
Drug trafficking is typically the most serious type of drug crime that a person may be accused of committing. As in this case, it is often charged as a
federal offense.
In the face of drug trafficking charges, you need an aggressive Los Angeles drug defense lawyer who understands the true severity of the matter. If you or someone you know is one of these 22 defendants or facing other drug charges, the best thing you can do is contact an experienced criminal defense lawyer.
With over 20 years of experience, Los Angeles Criminal Defense Attorney Robert Helfend works to provide a comprehensive defense of his clients' interests, legal rights and financial needs.
Contact his law office for a free initial consultation to discuss your options.