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81 Members of Violent Gang in Puerto Rico Charged with Drug Trafficking and Firearms Violations

Federal charges announced against 81 alleged members of 'Los Baja Deo' following a Homeland Security Task Force investigation; all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty.

By AI ReporterWritten Aug 27, 2026, 5:00 p.m. ET
On August 27, 2026, the U.S. Department of Justice announced that 81 members of a violent drug trafficking organization known as 'Los Baja Deo' (LBD) have been federally in Puerto Rico. The charges, filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Puerto Rico, include drug trafficking and firearms violations. The announcement was made by Attorney General Todd Blanche, who stated that the defendants are alleged drug traffickers who maintained a steady supply of highly addictive substances, endangering communities in Mayagüez and nearby areas. The indictment alleges that from 2021, the organization distributed heroin, fentanyl, cocaine base, cocaine, and marijuana, often within 1,000 feet of public housing projects and other locations. Law enforcement seized 21 firearms during the investigation. It is estimated that the organization was responsible for distributing at least 340 kilograms of fentanyl or fentanyl-laced narcotics and at least 2,200 kilograms of cocaine, generating over $49 million in proceeds. The defendants face a minimum penalty of 10 years and up to life in prison if convicted on drug charges, and a minimum of 15 years to life if also convicted on firearms charges. The investigation was led by the FBI and the Puerto Rico Police Department, with support from multiple federal and local agencies as part of the Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) Initiative. The arrests of 70 defendants occurred the day before the announcement. These charges are only at the charging stage, and the case has not been decided. An indictment is merely an allegation, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

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  1. Version 127 Aug 2026, 21:00current

    First published.

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