29 NOV 16 – Gang, Cartels, & Transnational Threat Report

ADMIN NOTE: For the DRAFT version of the Gang, Cartel, & Transnational Threat Report, we’ll be using the FEMA regions for organizational purposes.  Subscriber feedback is requested in order to help us determine whether or not we should continue this report.

Region II

NY – The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade is a Big Apple tradition, but this year’s lineup involves some counter-terror measures including dump trucks filled with sand intended to act as mobile barriers against terror attacks by vehicle or explosive. The measure has been implemented following terror attacks at similar public events, such as the Bastille Day attack in Nice, France.  (November 23, 2016)

Region IV

NC – An individual charged with planning terror attacks in the US in collusion with the Islamic State is scheduled to appear in federal court for a plea hearing. Justin Sullivan currently stands accused of murdering a neighbor in order to steal money to fund his activities. His alleged IS contact, Junaid Hussain, was killed in a drone strike in Syria in August 2015.  (November 29, 2016)

FL – Victorio Emmanuel “Magic” Lopez, a resident of Miami, plead guilty to charges of racketeering, conspiracy involving murder, attempted murder, aggravated battery, aggravated assault, and narcotics distribution.  Lopez is allegedly a leader of the Almighty Imperial Gangsters Nation, a predominantly Latino gang based in Chicago, Illinois.  (November 22, 2016)

Region V

OH – An attack on campus at Ohio State University resulted in 11 injuries. A man identified as Abdul Razak Ali Artan rammed his car into a group of pedestrians before exiting the vehicle and continuing to attack them with a knife. While some sources say that Artan had no apparent criminal or terrorist affiliations, others claim that he was motivated by the US government’s treatment of Muslims. In a social media post shortly before the attack, Artan demanded officials “to stop interfering with other countries, especially the Muslim Ummah . . . By Allah, we will not let you sleep unless you give peace to the Muslims. You will not celebrate or enjoy any holiday.”  (November 28, 2016)

OH – Federal officials have issued a five-count indictment against an Ohio man. Charges include the illegal possession of firearms and the possession and trafficking of nearly 80 lbs of cocaine.  The suspect, Jerry J. Davis, has a lengthy criminal record including sexual battery, heroin possession, and other felony convictions. At the time of this writing officials have not indicated whether or not Davis had gang or organized crime affiliations in moving such a large amount of cocaine.  (November 28, 2016)

Region IX



CA – A member of the Five Deuces Broadway Gangster Crips street gang pleaded guilty to federal charges including narcotics trafficking and armed robbery. Akia Pete, the suspect, is a longtime FDBGC member who works as an enforcer for the gang.  (November 25, 2016)

Mexico

San Jose del Cabo, Baja California – A violent exchange of weapons fire in San Jose del Cabo at 3:30AM on Wednesday left 8 dead and an unreported number wounded in two separate attacks. Military grade weapons, including machine guns and M32A1 grenade launchers, were involved. The attack appears to have been well-planned, and the targets included two houses alleged to be drug trafficking locations.   (November 23, 2016)
Ciudad Juarez, Chihuahua – Known as Roderigo HF or “El Águila”, the man alleged to be the leader of the Sinaloa Cartel in Cuidad Juarez has been arrested by the Chihuahua state police. At the time of the arrest he was in possession of a number of illegal weapons and a substance believed to be an illegal narcotic.  (November 26, 2016)

Culiacán, Sinaloa –  Olegario Chaidez, allegedly an associate of Sinaloa narco kingpin Ismael Zambada García, was shot and killed in Culiacán on Friday. Chaidez has been accused of numerous criminal activities, including recruiting soldiers for the cartel. No suspects have been named as of the time of this writing.   (November 25, 2016)
Europe

Paris, France – Five suspects recently arrested for allegedly plotting a terror attack in and around Paris were operating under direct orders from IS/Daesh, according to prosecutors. The country remains in an ongoing state of emergency. Similar suspected terror groups were also planned in Strasbourg and Marseilles. The alleged IS/Daesh operatives used encrypted apps for communication and coordination, according to officials involved in the investigation.  (November 25, 2016)

Adana, Turkey – Following weeks of terror warnings by US officials, an explosion outside the governor’s office in Adana killed two people and wounded dozens more on Thursday, November 24. The explosive device appears to have been hidden inside a vehicle. Adama is roughly 10 miles from the US air base at Incirlik, prompting the evacuation of the families of US service personnel. Turkish officials blame the Kurdish separatist group PKK.  (November 24, 2016)