GASTONIA, N.C. — Dozens of suspected gang members were put in jail last week after an early-morning raid involving federal agents.
Court documents unsealed Wednesday evening highlight the violence of the Bloods street gang. Police add that the group has been recruiting in the Charlotte area for years.
Gang unit detectives are still looking for one more suspect who has already been indicted on federal drug and racketeering charges.
While police admit gangs are a growing problem, they said they are also working to get the gang problem under control in Gastonia. They spent the last two years working with the FBI.
“This was a very dangerous investigation,” said Sgt. Jeff Clark. “These guys put in long, hard hours away from their families.”
FBI agents and Gastonia gang detectives ran surveillance and went undercover to ultimately use federal racketeering charges to arrest dozens of suspected gang members.
“Getting those people off the street is a huge plus for Gastonia and for the state. It’s a definite plus,” Clark said.
In all, 27 people were arrested. Most of them face a life in prison for crimes including drug trafficking, armed robbery and attempted murder.
“I’m glad they made the roundup. They should have. They need to be off the street,” said resident Jerry Floyd.
Floyd lives on Pryor Street, one of the areas where gang members were arrested. He said he’s not sure the roundup will have a big impact on the Bloods’ crimes, though.
Police said there are still more than 100 Bloods members in Gastonia.
“A lot of times when you lock one up, there’s two going to pop up and take their place,” Floyd said.
Police said gang officers routinely talk to at-risk children in the schools. They added that surveillance operations are ongoing against other known gang members.
Police said all 27 gang members went into custody peacefully and they confiscated stolen property, money and drugs.