Raids 'cripple' Latin Kings - 16 members arrested

Latin Kings 'crippled'
Eighteen-month gang probe nets arrests in Lowell and Lawrence

By TOM SPOTH and JACK MINCH
Sun Staff

Wednesday, February 25, 2004 - An 18-month probe called Operation Dethrone struck at the throat of one of the state's largest street gangs when federal and state investigators arrested many of its ranking members during coordinated raids at dawn yesterday, according to police.

Three alleged members of the Latin Kings notorious for their drug dealing and violence toward enemies were arrested in Lowell and indicted on federal drug charges. They are: Giecliff "King Bear" Rodriguez, 25, of 19 Fifth St., second floor; Onix "King Onyx" Figueroa, 28, of 80 Fourth St.; and Carmelo "King Carmelo" Rodriguez, 20, of 750 Merrimack St., Unit 3.

Thirteen other alleged Latin Kings members were captured yesterday in other area communities, primarily in Lawrence. Two suspected Kings eluded police and remain at large. Lowell and Lawrence police worked closely together, and with the FBI and other organizations, to track down and build a case against gang members.

"The gang (is) crippled," Lowell police Sgt. James Trudel said. "It will take them a significant amount of time to regroup."

Giecliff Rodriguez was the most powerful Latin King arrested, police said. As minister of defense for the Massachusetts chapter, he is one of the state's highest-ranking officers, according to the U.S. attorney's office in Boston.

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