Chino street gang indicted on drug charges

[Lucinda F. Boyd]

LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- A federal indictment, unsealed in Los Angeles on Wednesday, charges 21 members of a Chino street gang with being part of a drug distribution ring with ties to the Mexican Mafia prison gang.

The indictment is the result of a two-year-long investigation known as "Operation Redemption." It targeted members and associates of the "Chino Sinners" street gang.

They are accused of distributing controlled substances, conspiracy to distribute controlled substances and possession of firearms.

"The drug network that we've disrupted today will hopefully make a dent in the violence of this community," FBI Special Agent Bill Lewis said. "The Chino Sinners gang has for decades eroded the quality of life in the city of Chino."

Evidence obtained in the investigation revealed the illegal distribution network reached from San Bernardino County to Riverside and Los Angeles counties.

Investigators also say some of the gang members had established a partnership with members of the Mexican Mafia prison gang to distribute drugs in the state prison system.

More than 200 agents and officers from several federal, local and state agencies executed multiple federal arrest warrants early Wednesday. Several suspects were already in jail on unrelated charges. ..