Conflict · LBD drug gang81 Indicted in Massive Puerto Rico Drug Trafficking CaseAired August 28, 2026 at 4:18 PM UTCWritten September 7, 2026 at 9:22 PM UTCRead the write-upThis storyTranscript · LOADING0:0081 people are indicted in a drug case involving 340 kilograms of fentanyl.0:05The gang allegedly sold drugs within 1,000 feet of public housing and used violence0:10to protect its territory.0:11But 11 of the 81 were not part of the recent arrest sweep.0:15What happened to them?0:16The alleged conspiracy began in 2021.0:18On August 19th, a federal grand jury indicted 81 people on charges including0:23conspiracy to distribute cocaine, crack, fentanyl, heroin, and marijuana.0:28A week later, 70 were arrested in a coordinated operation.0:31The charges were made public on August 27th.0:34The indictment alleges at least 340 kilograms of fentanyl and 2,200 kilograms of0:39cocaine were distributed.0:4070 of the 81 are in custody.0:42The other 11 were not part of the sweep.0:44Some were already behind bars, and some are still on the run.0:48How many in each category is not yet clear?0:50The Attorney General called the group a threat to public housing communities and0:54pointed to the seized firearms and the massive drug quantities as evidence of the0:58operation's scale.0:59On the drug charges alone, a conviction carries a mandatory minimum of 10 years.1:04Add the firearms count and that floor jumps to 15 years.1:07Both carry a maximum of life.1:0921 of the defendants also face that additional firearms charge.1:12Attorney General Todd Blanche led the announcement.1:15Acting U.S.1:16Attorney Hector Ramirez-Carbo said the arrests mean families in Mayaguez can now1:20enjoy their communities without fear.1:22FBI Director Cash Patel stressed that the pipeline ran partly through the U.S.1:25Postal Service.1:26The indictment centers on Mayaguez and surrounding communities in western Puerto1:30Rico, where the organization allegedly operated drug points.1:34The group was structured with leaders, drug point owners, suppliers, enforcers,1:38runners, sellers, and lookouts coordinating over radios and phones.1:42Prosecutors allege they used shootings, kidnappings, and murders to protect their1:46territory.1:46The indictment says they operated within 1,000 feet of public housing projects,1:51including Sabalo Gardens and Yaguez.1:53The investigation was led by the San Juan Homeland Security Task Force under a 20251:58executive order targeting cartels.2:00Law enforcement seized 21 firearms and the alleged proceeds exceed $49 million with2:05a forfeiture claim of nearly $50 million.2:08As for the 11 not arrested, some were already in custody and are alleged to have2:12continued running operations from behind bars while others remain at large.2:16The exact split is unconfirmed, and no next court date has been set.2:20Arraignments are underway in San Juan.Explore with HeyDexThe shortThe short ↗