The Justice Department just brought a major RICO case against 26 alleged members of the Trinitarios, a violent transnational gang accused of terrorizing Massachusetts communities.
On June 9, 2026, federal prosecutors announced charges tied to five murders, 19 attempted murders, drug trafficking, firearms, extortion, kidnapping, robbery, and efforts to kill witnesses.
The defendants are alleged leaders, members, and associates of the Lawrence, Haverhill, and Boston Chapters of the Trinitarios.
For President Trump’s DOJ, this is the kind of case that sends a very clear message: violent gangs do not get to run American neighborhoods.
Today, 26 members of the Trinitarios gang were indicted for violations of RICO – conspiracy to commit murder. These charges encompass five murders and 19 attempted murders, trafficking of dozens of kilograms of drugs, extortion, kidnapping, and robbery.
Massachusetts communities… https://t.co/zc7BnrPg7b pic.twitter.com/Chx8nyuXgX
— Homeland Security (@DHSgov) June 9, 2026
The U.S. Department of Justice laid out the scope of the indictment and the broader federal operation:
Twenty-six alleged leaders, members and associates of the Trinitarios, a violent transnational criminal organization, have been indicted on federal racketeering (RICO) conspiracy charges in connection with five murders and 19 attempted murders, as well as drug trafficking and firearm charges.
Over the past two years, the U.S. Attorney’s Office has been relentless in its efforts to dismantle and decimate the Trinitarios in Massachusetts, charging a total of 56 members who are alleged to have committed or participated in 11 murders and 30 attempted murders since 2017.
The investigation also resulted in the apprehension of seven illegal aliens from the United States who have either been deported or are currently in deportation proceedings.
The individuals charged today are alleged leaders, members and associates of the Lawrence, Haverhill and Boston Chapters of the Trinitarios.
Court documents filed today describe the gang’s alleged participation in five murders, 19 attempted murders, efforts to kill witnesses, the trafficking of dozens of kilograms of drugs, extortion of legitimate businesses with the threat of violence, kidnappings and robberies.
This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.
The details contained in the charging documents are allegations. The defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
DOJ said the same investigation also led to the apprehension of seven illegal aliens from the United States.
Those individuals have either been deported or are currently in deportation proceedings, according to the department.
The alleged pattern described by prosecutors is chilling.
This was not framed as an isolated prosecution.
DOJ said the case is part of the Homeland Security Task Force initiative established by Executive Order 14159, Protecting the American People Against Invasion.
The department also connected it to Operation Take Back America.
There is an important legal point here.
The charges are allegations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
But the federal posture is unmistakable.
When violent gangs are accused of murder, witness threats, drug trafficking, and kidnapping, the answer should be overwhelming federal pressure, not excuses.
