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Thursday, March 1, 2018

San Diego County, CA: 37 Gang Members Federally Indicted on Drug and Weapon Charges

Posted by Yaqui for Borderland Beat from: San Diego Union Tribune


                         Dozens arrested in San Diego North County Gang and Drug Networks

Official Justice Dept Press Release: justice.gov
Kristina Davis Feb 28, 2018

A year long investigation into gang networks trafficking heroin, methamphetamine and firearms  throughout North County culminated Wednesday in 11 Federal indictments against 37 people — from street dealers to mid-level managers to cross-border smugglers, authorities said.

The crackdown announced was one in the latest of  a series of DOJ efforts to reduce the opioid epidemic and reduce the levels of associated violent crime that is crippling communities.

The illicit business occurred everywhere from shopping center parking lots to outside a methadone clinic to homes across the street from schools, according to authorities.

Early Wednesday morning, more than 100 law enforcement officers from several agencies made arrests throughout North County. 



 As of today at noon, 27 of the 37 defendants are either in federal or state custody. 21 were arrested this week, including 18 this morning; the rest were already in custody. Authorities are continuing to search for 10 defendants. Many of the defendants are scheduled to be arraigned before U.S. Magistrate Judge Mitchell D. Dembin at 2:00 p.m. today and tomorrow. 

Agencies involved included: The FBI Swat Team, and the North County Regional Gang Task Force.
The investigation and operation involved months of federal wiretaps, dozens of undercover drug and gun buys, and extensive surveillance .

Many of the defendants are documented members or associates of gangs across the North County — Oceanside, Vista, San Marcos, Carlsbad, Encinitas and Escondido — with ties to the powerful Mexican Mafia prison gang, prosecutors said.



Investigators deployed wiretaps and vehicle trackers, conducted extensive surveillance and made several undercover buys to gather evidence in the cases. Throughout the investigation, they seized heroin, fentanyl, meth, and firearms , including revolvers, a semi- automatic pistol and two Ar-15 style assault rifles, authorities said.

“We have a special resolve to go after gangs that have the audacity to operate on the boundaries of our schools, where children play and learn,” said Interim U.S. Attorney Adam Braverman. 

The North County Gang Task Force began investigating in September 2016 after two gang-related killings in Oceanside. One was a botched robbery and another was done by members of a rival Oceanside gang, according to an FBI search warrant affidavit.

The killings were followed by a retaliation shooting, which wounded a bystander.

The violence prompted task force members to use a confidential source to infiltrate one of the gangs and share information with authorities.

The investigation led to Carlsbad gang member Robert “Sleepy” Gonzalez, identified as the operator of a robust heroin distribution network in Oceanside, according to authorities.

Phone wiretaps showed he sold drugs every single day of the roughly three months he was being listened to — five to 10 customers a day, up to 12 grams of heroin a day, according to court records.

He and his customers would refer to heroin as “negra,” “taco,” or “media,” and the cost as “BBQ money” or “feria” — Spanish slang for money, according to the affidavit.

Drug sales, as well as handoffs between associates, happened in parking lots throughout Oceanside, including Walmart, Harbor Freight, Mission Donuts, Burger King and El Super. Deals also went down in front of a methadone clinic, Mission Treatment Service, a place where heroin users seek relief from addiction.

Heroin was also being sold at a steady clip by Martin “Osama” Rodriguez, who would order 6 to 12 grams of heroin from Gonzalez every few days and sell it on a daily basis, according to the affidavit.

Also in Oceanside, Theresa Lapolla is accused of distributing heroin out of her home, located less than 700 feet from three schools. A search of her home revealed more than 100 grams of the drug, authorities said. her charges will double the the maximum punishment to 80 years in prison.

Some schools involved were: Jefferson Middle School, Clair W. Burgener Academy, Mission Elementary School, San Marcos High School, and Joli Ann Leichtag Elementary School. Drugs were being sold from directly across the streets of these schools and Libby Lake Park was also mentioned.

“We have a special resolve to go after gangs that have the audacity to operate on the boundaries of our schools, where children play and learn,” said Interim U.S. Attorney Adam Braverman. 

The investigation also identified Adrian “Bandit” Gomez, a documented Carlsbad gang member, as a methamphetamine dealer, authorities said. Investigators found evidence that he’d been selling the drug out of a home on Emerald Drive in Oceanside where he lived with family members, according to court documents. A handgun was found in a dresser.


In an interview with investigators, Gomez said he didn’t live at the house and the gun belonged to his brother, who had been recently killed in an officer-involved shooting.

An Encinitas gang member, Colin Jones, was arrested at Pala Indian Casino last summer with a loaded AR-15-style rifle in his car, along with heroin and ammunition, authorities said. He is accused of selling high volumes of heroin and meth.


Some of the drugs were smuggled from Tijuana in body cavities into the U.S., according to investigators. For example, Jones is accused of crossing into Mexico every five days or so to replenish his supply. Between October 7, 2016 and June 4, 2017 (four days before Jones was arrested in this case) Investigators said he used the pedestrian lanes at San Ysidro and Otay Mesa ports of entry at night 38 times in eight months prior to his arrest last summer.

U.S. Attorney Braverman praised the task force for the coordinated team effort in the culmination of this investigation. Agents and officers from the Federal Bureau of Investigation, San Diego County Sheriff’s Office, Oceanside Police Department, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Drug Enforcement Administration, the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, Bureau of Prisons, Homeland Security Investigations, U.S. Marshals Service, California Highway Patrol, and the Escondido and Carlsbad Police Departments collaborated on this investigation. 

Attorneys from the Department of Justice, Office of Enforcement Operations, Electronic Surveillance Unit, also provided critical assistance to the investigation. 

According to court documents, some of the drugs in these investigations were obtained in Tijuana, Mexico, and then North County Gang members used unsanitary methods to sneak heroin and methamphetamine across the border: They repeatedly smuggled small quantities of narcotics in body cavities, via pedestrian lanes at the San Ysidro and Otay Mesa border crossings. 

The defendants face varying amounts of prison time from 4 Years to Life in prison, depending on individual charges. 

54 comments:

  1. That pic up top isn't even gang members from San Diego. I used to go to school with sum of them good. There all from San Jo!

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  2. Are these guys the only ones associated with the MM or are other gangs involved.

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  3. 80 Years in prison for grams while the zumbadas go free while their organization continues to import by the metric ton and kill hundreds by lethal force and by overdose. What a fair and balanced system we have. Don’t get me wrong they deserve jail time but be realistic!

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    1. I'm from this area and know certain people. There is no way that girl is getting 80 yrs for 4 pieces (25 gram oz). I got caught with 2, on my first time and did 6 months and 3 yrs probation. Are they trying to build a Fedral RICO case. Those are all small amounts of drugs and small time dealers. Wait and see I guess.

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    2. This is a typical DOJ bullshit narcotics operation meant to shape public opinion thru the commetariat by exaggerating actual drug amounts as grams and numerous arrests. The fact of the matter is, this drug investigation used numerous jurisdictions while wasting ridiculous amounts of public money to net "grams", not pounds, of dope, 2 guns(which probably don't even function) during separate incidents and times, 2 street-to-mid level dealers, no money, and 35 users made to look like high level gang members/associates.
      They do this to continue to get unlimited funding to fight a losing, never-ending drug war while failing to mention this was a waste of time, man power, and money as not one of these busts included any high ranking drug distributors to make any kind of serious impact into stopping the drug epidemic.
      They bloat the amounts of drugs confiscated into grams so that the average Trump voter feels vindicated by the vast expenditures of LE.
      Think about it, 12 grams sounds alot better than saying less than a half ounce! 37 gang members/associates has a better ring to it than 2 drug dealers and 35 users/hypes. Then they mention guns, from separate incidents during "months" of investigations and post pictures to show they are "keeping the public safe." -Get the f*ck outta here!
      Their main objective in these so called coordinated investigations is money, which none is mentioned. Why? Because none was found or it was such a small amount that it would put this "network" on front street as to how small it actually is, street-level at best!
      Meanwhile, your government is allowing drug money to be laundered thru numerous international banks to legitimize drug profits for the cartels they work with and collect their portion thru interest in the process. The rich get richer while the poor get locked up.
      WAKE UP MUTHAF*CKAS!!

      EL OCHO

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    3. Nicely put El Ocho
      Do have to agree that majority of low level / high tax payers dollars needs justification.

      E42

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    4. @11;36 AM E42 I have no idea what you said.

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    5. Good to hear from you dd. Hopefully all well with you and family. Moreover, to all staff and readers on B.B..

      The comment refers to justification of man hours paid for by tax payers money. From having read the article clearly this criminal structure was of little impact. The seizures and characteristics of common behavior in many communities.
      What I find troubling is the sentencing guidelines government imposes on individuals who can be rehabilitated to become productive citizens.
      Such sentences imposed nowadays have done more harm to our communities than good.
      Rather advocating a policy for reform and educational purposes.

      I am aware of stricter sentencing measures where places of education institutions are evident. A necessary measure to protect our communities and intellectuals.

      Bottom line is; clearly these individuals needed guidance for treatment (drug abuse / criminal behavior) while under the penal system. To resort to a lengthy punishment has become a burden on all our communities. Moreover, a cycle that continues to divide and place barriers to those who can be considered a productive lifestyle.

      E42



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    6. El Ocho you just had to throw Trumps name in their didnt you idiot? You would rather have these scumbags on our streets selling heroin next to schools? Moron...

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    7. @8:50
      Guess we know who you voted for now don't we?? Resorting to elemantary name-calling like that fool that you voted for but can't admit that you made a mistake trusting a millionaire that could give 2 shits about you. Yeah, blame me for making you realize what a great choice you made, dumbass.
      Now that you're on your just say no soap box repeating scare tactics of the eighties that they've programmed into you like a mindless robot, tell me when was the last time scumbags like these held a gun to any kids forcing them to buy their dope?? Never, it doesn't happen. The shit sells itself, smart guy. These dealers had a set clientele they were dealing with to make this an ongoing, everyday, routine of selling to support their habit. You think its justifiable to have all these jurisdictions investigating a bunch of low level street dealers dealing in grams?? Last time I checked, local pd used to be qualified to handle these types of cases all by themselves. And the big letters were tracking down the kingpins and heavy hitters of the drug world. If your gonna be wasting enormous amounts of money, time, and man power than there must be some ACCOUNTABILITY!
      The idiot is the one who can't read between the lines and call out bullshit when it's right underneath his nose. I was not throwing in your daddy trumps name to piss anyone off, I used it to describe the 60% of the population that voted for an imbecil and believes everything they here through the corporate controlled commetariat. Do some research and soul searching before you make another self depracating comment exposing you for the genius you've never been.
      And no I don't want these fools on the streets anymore than I want your camote in office but I'd rather stop the problem at the source by cutting demand and dependency so there's no longer a need for supply.
      Stay in your lane, b1tch or get the f*ck out the way!

      El ke te pilotea put1to..

      El Ocho

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    8. 9:58 is exactly right. I'm talking from personal experience I know Sleepy, the alleged ring leader, personally. They are low level dealers basically dealing to support their own habit. The government likes to make it seem like they got big time drug dealers of the street but it couldn't be farther from the truth

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  4. Dam want some drugs that been up someone's ass I think not wow kids now a days

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    1. Rundown rundown, I think it is too late,
      But you may try to forget about it...

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  5. The guys on the first image are Nortontos busted in San Jose for similar charges.

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    1. 6:50 what's next, the Surrados?

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  6. What a motley collection of ugly looking losers. Kid's, stay in school, learn a trade or skill. The glamorized life of drugs is a farse and ephemeral. Learn from these fools...on what not to do in life.

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  7. Stuffing their asses with shit wtf this aint american me. Feria is mexican slang for money not spanish.

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    1. It's Mexican Spanish slang for money.You know what they meant.

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    2. No, you don't know. Mexico is in Latin America and Spain is European.
      So there for Feria is Mexican slang not Spanis.

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  8. Damn that was a big hit. A bunch of big time dealers got arrested and the kids in schools are safe again.
    These Americans are realy easy minded ppl.
    But thx yaqui for this good Inside view of the gringos.

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    1. @1007: your comment is well placed - no offense Yaqui - and indeed ppl seem so stupidly to assume that a bust like this changes anything at all when all it does is add another couple of heads to the prison industry's profit generator! Well I almost forgot: ot also opens up an opportunity for someone to fill the void left by those busted.

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  9. I always see a lot of arrest made in north county SD but what about South Bay ? I know the gangs arnt as unified as up there anymore but from personal experience I feel like there’s more of a problem of heroin use and sales in Chula Vista and national city then up there , it’s 40-50 a gram of heroin in South Bay and in Oceanside it’s 80-100 so I feel more sales happen in South Bay before moving it up to north county . More bulk buyers are in Chula Vista and national city

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    1. It's because look at the cities here in N.county... Carlsbad, Oceanside,and Encinitas! They are building alot here in Oside the last few years. There is alot of money here alot of money to be made here, They focus more out here to try and clean it up to attract more business and home buyers! They don't care too much about Chula Vista or National City.. look at the people who live there mostly Brown! Not here... it's all about $$! Unfortunately

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  10. what about reputable hoods with generations of representation in the southbay like OTNC,OTAY ,VCV , PALM CITY FH , SIDRO , DEL SOL . some of these neighborhoods have been established for half centuries or more in the south of SD and are closest to the border. How come there is never any federal sweeps in these territories released on press ? Ever since the late 2000s shit died down in the southbay. North county is way more active.

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    Replies
    1. ... Because We Don't Heat Up The Place And It's Like Mexico City = Hide In Plain Site, Play Golf, Eat At Restaurant's Like Karinas Mariscos, Etc. ... Very Relaxing To Live, But Expensive ...

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    2. They actually did it to Escondido with the diablos twice. One last year and like 15 or so years too.. Don't know about other gangs though, there was an article here to on los diablos gang sweep

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  11. Ah done tole you, boys and girls, you don't even k ow what the hell the shit you smoKe, inject, CHEW or put in your hair has been through,
    Pero ahi andan de calientes.

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  12. In any parking lot in California at any given moment there is a 50/50 chance that at least one dope deal is going down

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    1. I'd say in most cities in any parking lot a 50/50 chance

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  13. I thought all drugs r legal in California

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  14. Top picture is from a gang bust in Gilroy and San Jose California. They are all norteño gang members, supposedly members of the Nuestra Familia

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  15. Great to hear that security operations are being implemented. Reducing an epidemic that both countries are engulfed with.
    Let’s make our borders stronger than ever.

    E42

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    1. The thing about walls is that they’re a lot like locks. They’re only meant 2 keep out honest people. - Sol Prendido

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    2. Agree. But not referring to a wall but more apprehensive measures in reductions of death and destruction.
      Appropriate manpower and technology to secure our communities of this epidemic.
      As for reference to good and honest people? I truly believe that all Human Beings are honest and good.
      Regardless of where ones origins are. Until we loose site of living true that causes the breakdown of oneself.

      E42


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    3. @11:51AM E42, I am not sure what epidemic you are referring to. The term "epidemic" is what is being used today to describe the "opiod epidemic". And that epidemic is being recognized as a crisis, but do you really think think more manpower and technology will do anything to stop that epidemic which stems from pharmaceutical drugs? If you you are calling use of illegal drugs an epidemic, The use of "appropriate manpower and technology" are the solutions that have been tried for decades in the war on drugs and it has failed to secure our communities of drugs and drug addition. Most people today recognize that the wr on drugs has been a colossal failure. There are more and cheaper drugs on the streets than ever. The solution is to reduce the demand for drugs, not try to cut off the supply.

      As to you belief that all human beings are honest and good, I can only say that I think you are young and naive.

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    4. @ dd
      I do respect all opinions here.
      And yes you are correct as to pharmaceutical companies which are much at blame for the opioid crisis. Moreover, a failure indeed as to the war on drugs.
      However, any steps implemented to curtail the supply coming in is something than nothing at all.
      Furthermore, the need for education purposes for battling the opioid issue has begun. This in part due to the ineffectiveness of treating addiction as a health issue and that of a crime.
      Nevertheless, I truly believe we are all good and honest. The change to dishonesty and evil comes from circumstances / lack of judgment.

      E42

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    5. I have studied the so called crisis for months now. depending on stats and confirmed data. Pharmaceuticals are not the guilty party of the opioid crisis. that is shallow thinking. and leaves traffickers off the hook. but it is multifaceted and lets not forget the self responsibility factor. pharmas are not the end all in blame. they are complicit in downplaying the addiction factor, but how many patients did that really effect? you would be surprised, unless you did you research.

      If you look at the headlines "60k OD" but when you compare to the overall dispensing of opioids one gets a better picture.

      By blaming RX companies as the main villian we tread on a slippery slope that takes away meds from cancer patients and legit chronic illness patients who benefit from the meds, they do not abuse and are able to function socially, employment and with family.

      and for the abusers? they move on to other drugs or street drugs that are far more dangerous like heroin pills laced with fent that look like percocet or oxy.

      only 2% of the 75 M people given pain med short term or for chronic illness abuse the drug. that's right only 2% and 75% of those abuse other drugs incl alcohol.

      i plan on writing an article about the carelessness of the hype on pharma co. and the true nature of the issue.

      I hate it when people are "parrots" and repeat headlines.

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    6. How do you "educate" the US Senators and Congress members that passed the Oxy laws that have addicted and killed so many people in exchange of about 100 million dollars?
      And much hated Obama signed the laws they passed, just to get his presidential agenda some progress I guess.
      The Sackler family of drug makers, Purdue Pharma, United Distributors of pharmaceuticals, have a shared of the billions and billions of dollars in profits, and have preached about how they are doing wonderful business on other countries as the US market dries up due to the many deaths caused by prescriptions and the many addicts created and left out of legal options that became clients of illegal street vendors.
      Education would have served the corrupt lawmakers and will not serve the addicts or the dead no matter how many billions of dollars the government spends in private treatment centers owned by their good buddies with the only idea of getting their claws on some of those billions of dollars.
      --The Sackler family should pay for treatment from their earnings, and lawmakers should a return their money they received or get it docked from their pay to give the motherfakers a good lesson, and Obama needs to explan why he signed the laws...

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  16. Sur Town County gangsters have had deep connections to Mexican DTOs since the early '90s. David Barron started recruiting for the AFO cartel from SD street gangs.

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  17. Southside gang members look like the faces of meth ads you see everywhere now. The days of the mexcian mafia are over, Im from LA and have seen theres a NEW ERA coming going after these losers. If you're a sureno you better drop that 13.

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    1. I don't think so pal...

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    2. 11:13 US born American citizens can do as they please,
      so there in your overthere, Maras and treces.

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  18. good think Eric Holder isn't still in charge, the disproportionate amount of Latinos in this roundup would upset the liberal mind. I'm glad they rounded up one token white gal to show diversity

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  19. This is drug users selling to other drug users. 12 grams a day isn't "big time" it's about staying high. It's just an easy bust for press . Colon Jones seems to have been doing the most with his 1 man operation. Futive Alfaro just likes to have too much fun and gets caught up .Both have been my cellys in he past and they are both good active homies that don't really bother anyone.

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    1. 12:08 well, since drugs are the more dangerous Mexican narco-terrorism, the 'actorities' decide to call all the arrested peepol gangbangers drug trafficking DTOS, and get lucky leaving weapons out of it, becose the NRA says so.

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  20. Idicted does not mean Jailed!

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  21. Huge problems in Cali. I blame a lot of it on our govt and profits from human trafficking, which needs to stop. No one should ever be sold or used for someone else's gain. And if there's worse than that going on, which I very much suspect there is, it's time for our politicians to answer some very pointed questions.

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    1. 2:29 there is A WHOLE LOT OF MORE THAN THAT, but you will have to do your own research, check both sides, some accuse the mexicans, others the US lawmakers, others the manufacturers, like Sakler family that owns the Oxy and derivates or Purdue Pharma or others, all guilty of over 300 000 deaths including the mexican cartel overdosed minority.

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  22. Put them all to sleep

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  23. San Diego all combined east County , Southbay , and any other cites don’t have as much murders and crime. just Oceanside on its own has a higher murder rate per year then all other counties and cities combined this is due to newer more violent street gangs taking over dying generations of gangs

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  24. Like them stv or street villain gang members there literally taking over block after block from Oceanside to vista you can see it your self on the news or as you drive by

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