More than 80 individuals face federal charges following the takedown of a violent Puerto Rican gang, an announcement made on Thursday, August 27, 2026, by Attorney General Todd Blanche during a visit to the island. This action is part of the Trump administration’s broader initiative to combat violent crime and drug trafficking.
Federal prosecutors allege the gang, known as Los Baja Deo, operated for years, trafficking fentanyl, cocaine, and other illicit drugs from Mayagüez, a city on Puerto Rico’s west coast. The criminal enterprise is said to have generated nearly $50 million in proceeds. The group is also accused of involvement in shootings, killings, kidnappings, and assaults, and is linked to the distribution of at least 340 kilograms of fentanyl or fentanyl-laced narcotics, according to Attorney General Blanche.
The newly confirmed Attorney General emphasized the unified efforts of Homeland Security Task Forces across the United States to dismantle criminal cartels, foreign gangs, and transnational criminal organizations. His presence in the U.S. Caribbean territory for the announcement highlights the administration’s focus on addressing cartels and gangs that contribute to drug trafficking and violence in communities nationwide. The Trump administration has significantly reoriented the Justice Department to prioritize tackling illegal immigration and violent crime.
Héctor Ramírez-Carbó, the acting U.S. attorney for Puerto Rico, stated that these 81 violent gang members will now face justice, and any others attempting to take their place will also be held accountable. He added that the families of Mayagüez can now enjoy their communities peacefully without fear of harm.
