A 76-page federal indictment names numerous accused members of the Latin Kings gang in Holland.
31 accused Latin Kings members were indicted on federal charges ranging from racketeering to conspiring to distribute cocaine and marijuana to various weapons violations.
Local, state and federal authorities arrested 28 alleged gang members Tuesday.
Among those arrested were leaders called Incas, enforcers who act as security and treasurers who collected money from gang members to pay off bail bonds, authorities say.
Included in the sweeping federal indictment handed down by federal prosecutors Tuesday are eight alleged members initially arrested in July 2012 and many others, all of whom prosecutors say are affiliated with the Holland Latin Kings.
"It's not over yet. We're still in the process of investigating. We're in the process of trying to bring it to a closure," said ATF Special Agent Donald Dawkins.
Three accused members have yet to be arrested. Authorities won't say if those people are still in the area, but did say they think they know where they are.
A Holland Department of Public Safety captain said though there is more work to be done, but he's satisfied with Tuesday's work.
The gang's "history of violence and drug trafficking looks like its going to come to an end soon," Capt. Jack Dykstra said Tuesday afternoon. "The long-term, long-time gang members are being held accountable finally."
The major gang bust was the culmination of about 20 years of investigating that picked up momentum when various law enforcement agencies banded together in 2010.
Involved in the bust was the Holland Department of Public Safety, the Ottawa County Sheriff's Department, the West Michigan Enforcement Team, the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms and several other agencies.
"this has been a long and unprecedented investigation throughout the Holland area, West Michigan, and across the country," Holland Mayor Kurt Dystra tweeted Tuesday afternoon. "this helps answer what the govt has been doing about gangs. Local, state, and feds have for a long, long time put this .... huge and unprecedented case together. These indictments are incredibly welcome news. Congrats to local, state and fed agencies"
Federal officials say the Holland Latin Kings began in the 1990s, when a branch of the Chicago Heights, Ill. Latin Kings came to Holland and combined two local gangs. Federal officials say the Chicago Heights, Ill. gang still plays a role in the local operations.
A federal grand jury alleges that the Holland Latin Kings gang is an enterprise whose members engage in crimes of violence and drug trafficking in order to promote the gang and enrich its member while insulating themselves from police, among other things.
The indictment provides a clearer picture of how the Latin Kings operate, including who's at the top and how those leaders are protected. It maps out exactly where investigators say the Holland Latin Kings actually operate -- and they appear to be active far beyond West Michigan.
Investigators say the HLK territory is primarily between North 24th Street to First Street and between Lincoln Avenue and Graafschap Avenue in Holland.
The gang is broken up into two so-called chapters or sets. The 17th Street chapter -- also known as the East Side Chapter -- and the West Side chapter. Members, who pay $10 dues each week, are bound to protect their turf using threats and violence.
The membership is divided into several hierarchical layers designed to protect the leaders. The top leader is called the Inca and the second in command is called the Cacique. Each is chosen through elections held every two years or when there is an opening.
There are also regional leaders who will run background checks with Chicago leaders to make sure there are no informants moving from state to state.
Investigators say Latin Kings members store weapons called "nation guns," which are traded between neighboring chapters, including those from Grand Rapids, and out to Chicago.
Investigators say members from Grand Rapids to Chicago work together, selling marijuana and cocaine and using tactics to keep witnesses from cooperating with police.
"These suspects who have been involved for this many years have been held accountable by state charges over the years, but this brings the whole organization accountable, and brings the whole criminal organization accountable for what happened," said Capt. Dykstra.
Investigators say it's is a far-reaching operation with gang members obtaining drugs from various sources both inside and outside of Michigan, including Chicago and Texas.
Investigators say the HLK territory is primarily between North 24th Street to First Street and between Lincoln Avenue and Graafschap Avenue in Holland.
The gang is broken up into two so-called chapters or sets. The 17th Street chapter -- also known as the East Side Chapter -- and the West Side chapter. Members, who pay $10 dues each week, are bound to protect their turf using threats and violence.
The membership is divided into several hierarchical layers designed to protect the leaders. The top leader is called the Inca and the second in command is called the Cacique. Each is chosen through elections held every two years or when there is an opening.
There are also regional leaders who will run background checks with Chicago leaders to make sure there are no informants moving from state to state.
Investigators say Latin Kings members store weapons called "nation guns," which are traded between neighboring chapters, including those from Grand Rapids, and out to Chicago.
Investigators say members from Grand Rapids to Chicago work together, selling marijuana and cocaine and using tactics to keep witnesses from cooperating with police.
"These suspects who have been involved for this many years have been held accountable by state charges over the years, but this brings the whole organization accountable, and brings the whole criminal organization accountable for what happened," said Capt. Dykstra.
Investigators say it's is a far-reaching operation with gang members obtaining drugs from various sources both inside and outside of Michigan, including Chicago and Texas.
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