Several members of a violent gang with deep illegal roots were taken down in a major federal bust in Queens. Their brutal reign of beatings, extortion, drugs, and weapons has come to an end—at least for now.
Key Facts:
- Eight members of the 18th Street Gang were indicted on June 16 for violence, drugs, extortion, and racketeering in Queens, NY.
- Seven of the eight gang members were in the U.S. illegally, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
- The suspects terrorized Roosevelt Avenue, a known crime corridor in districts represented by Reps. Ocasio-Cortez and Grace Meng.
- Federal and local agencies—including the FBI and DHS—coordinated the arrests after months of community pleas for help.
- Gang members carried out brutal assaults with weapons including a glass bottle, bike lock, and wooden planks.
The Rest of The Story:
Authorities have charged eight men tied to the 18th Street Gang—a notorious transnational criminal organization—with a long list of violent offenses.
The gang allegedly dominated a two-mile crime strip along Roosevelt Avenue in Queens through fear and violence.
Most of the suspects were living in the country illegally.
The 18th Street Gang, originally formed by Mexican immigrants in Los Angeles, has a wide presence across the U.S. and Latin America.
In Queens, their members reportedly carried out stabbings, beatings, and extorted small businesses while trafficking drugs, guns, fake passports, and counterfeit cash.
In one 2021 attack, a victim’s face was slashed with a tequila bottle.
In another, suspects held down a man and stabbed him in the lung, then used wooden planks on a second victim.
Just last month, a man was attacked with a bike lock and metal chair.
The victims were often civilians or suspected rivals. The FBI, U.S. Attorney’s Office, Homeland Security, Secret Service, and NYPD joined forces in a sweeping takedown.
“Our actions today represent yet another example of the FBI’s commitment to crushing the violent transnational gangs plaguing our communities,” said Assistant Director Christopher Raia.
The indictment came just months after locals warned that the gang had filled the power vacuum left when other gangs, like Tren de Aragua, were taken down in winter raids.
Residents and former officials had begged for a federal response—and got one.
Your welcome @AOC the local FBI and DEA along with the police that you like to ask defunded did your job on keeping your district safe. Maybe instead of running your mouth you can do your job that people are paying you to do.
Eight members of the ruthless 18th Street… pic.twitter.com/wvT8VMNTtT
— Kat❤️ (@IrishKat00) July 10, 2025
Commentary:
This gang takedown was long overdue.
These violent criminals were allowed to terrorize Roosevelt Avenue for years while progressive leaders looked the other way.
It shouldn’t take years of bloodshed, prostitution, and open-air crime markets for the feds to act.
Seven of the eight suspects were in the country illegally.
That fact alone tells you everything about the failures of border and immigration enforcement under left-wing leadership.
When you flood communities with illegal migrants and then ignore the crime that follows, innocent people suffer.
It took local leaders and community groups going directly to federal agencies to get attention.
Why weren’t their elected representatives leading that charge?
Maybe because addressing violent crime would force them to admit that sanctuary policies and open borders have consequences.
With Trump back in charge and pressure mounting, federal agencies are finally cleaning house.
This is what law enforcement looks like when priorities shift from politics to public safety.
The people of Queens deserve better than to live under the control of violent gangs with no fear of arrest or deportation.
Taking these men off the street is a major win—but the job isn’t finished.
We need continued federal pressure and zero tolerance for criminal illegal aliens.
It’s time to restore law and order in every neighborhood—not just when the cameras are rolling.
The Bottom Line:
The FBI and other agencies arrested eight members of a violent illegal gang that took over a crime-infested section of Queens.
Their crimes ranged from brutal assaults to drug and gun trafficking.
Residents are safer today thanks to this major operation.
But the fact it took this long should serve as a wake-up call to change how we deal with illegal immigration and organized crime.
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