A Bronx gang with a penchant for posing as police were busted by the DEA Wednesday when they thought they were robbing a heroin distribution ring, according to the Attorney General's office. In the bust, officials also say they found a slew of phony police gear (including shirts, tactical vests, handcuffs and a hydraulic battering ram) as well as a car with a James Bond-style device that could hide its license plate.
Thanks to informants, the DEA was able to work its way into the gang (which Manhattan DEA Special Agent in Charge Brian Crowell called “extremely violent, armed and sophisticated”) and persuade them to rob a heroin trafficker's stash house while posing as police (which was the gang's MO). But when 16 gang members met up on January 9th to get into their caravan of six cars they were met with a surprise: the police.
"As alleged, this was a marauding gang of armed and violent thieves in the Bronx who masqueraded as police officers in order to trick their narcotics-dealing targets so they could steal their drugs and their cash,” said U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara announcing the bust.
After the crew was arrested, alleged leader, 26-year-old Javion Camacho—who in 2007 was convicted on a reduced charge in the fatal shooting of his cousin—reportedly admitted he had been caught "red-handed." If you want to see a full list of the alleged gang members, the Feds have that for you right here.
