Feds takedown Latin Kings as 23 members are indicted in Miami

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A federal grand jury has indicted 29 people in Miami, including 23 members of one of the largest and most well-organized criminal gangs in the U.S.
Members of the Latin Kings have been charged with offences including racketeering, drug distribution, murder, fraud, robbery and kidnapping
Among those taken down were Christopher Isabel, also known as King Nano, 33, who was the second in command in Florida
All of them face lengthy prison sentences if convicted
Investigators have referred to the arrests as a resounding takedown of the Latin Kings gang leadership

By David Mccormack For Dailymail.com and Associated Press Reporter

Published: 17:43 EST, 13 May 2015 | Updated: 01:01 EST, 14 May 2015

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The Feds are claiming a resounding takedown of the leadership of the infamous Latin Kings gang, after a grand jury indicted 29 people in Miami, South Florida.

Gang members have been charged with offences including racketeering, drug distribution, murder, fraud, robbery and kidnapping following a multi-agency operation led by the US Attorney's office.

Miami U.S. Attorney Wifredo Ferrer said on Tuesday the charges were contained in five separate indictments, with 23 of those charged known members or associates of the Latin Kings - one of the largest and most well-organized criminal gangs in the U.S.

Gang members such as John Martins a.k.a 'King Slowdown', left, and Samuel German a.k.a 'King Traffic', right, have been charged with offences including racketeering, drug distribution, murder, fraud, robbery and kidnapping following a multi-agency operation led by the US Attorney's office

Those charged include Luiz Rivera a.ka. King Tato, allegedly the leader of the group's North Miami operations, left, and Andres Lugo a.k.a King Ghost, right

Among those taken down were high ranking members of the criminal group including Christopher Isabel, also known as King Nano, 33, of Plantation, who investigators say was the second in command of the gang's operations in Florida, reports The Sun-Sentinel.

Bobbie Tejada, AKA King Riko was a regional officer for the gang in South Florida.

Luis Rivera, AKA King Tato, was allegedly the leader of the group's North Miami operations.

Juan Alvarez (King Juanmo) and Lazaro Castellon (King Speedy or King Laz) were the first and second in command respectively of the group's South Miami operations, the feds say.

Leaders of the gang in Broward and Palm Beach counties were also indicted. Five other non-members were also part of the indictments.

Those indicted face a number of charges, including racketeering conspiracy, drug trafficking and illegal weapons possession. All of them face lengthy prison sentences if convicted.

Investigators have referred to the arrests as a resounding takedown of the Latin Kings gang leadership.

'Today's charges demonstrate that we are dedicated to improving public safety and the quality of life for law-abiding residents by protecting neighborhoods, adopting proactive law enforcement initiatives, and prosecuting repeat offenders, firearms violators and criminal networks,' Ferrer said.

Investigators have referred to the arrests of gang members including Sean Buendia a.k.a King Chill, left, and Alain Modero a.k.a King C-low, right, as a resounding takedown of the Latin Kings gang leadership

Gang members arrested included Arturo Andrade a.k.a King Tu, left, and Danielle Lucatorto a.k.a Cookie, right

'We will continue to prosecute individuals whose violent criminal conduct infects our communities.'

The Latin Kings are one of the largest gang associations in the country. Originally started in 1940 by Puerto Rican members, the gang has spread across the country in mainly Hispanic neighborhoods.

The gang first appeared in Florida back in the 1990s, and is now believed to be the single largest gang in Florida.

Of the estimated 8,289 gang members in Florida's prison system, about 1,000 are believed to be Kings as of October 2014.

The gang adheres to a local, regional, state, and a national hierarchical system.

Members are required to pay dues, usually generated through criminal activity, attend regular meetings and adhere to the gang's established policies.

Failure to comply can result in disciplinary action.

Members such as Juan Alvarez a.k.a King Juanama, left, and Domenic Enrique a.k.a King Bolo, right,

Gang members charged include Barbara Lee a.k.a Queen Flaka, left, and Alberto Hernandez a.k.a King Gordo

ONE OF THE MOST WELL-ORGANIZED CRIMINAL GANGS IN AMERICA: A FULL LIST OF THE 23 ALLEGED LATIN KINGS ARRESTED

The 23 alleged Latin Kings charged in the first 20-count indictment are Juan Alvarez, 30, of Miami; Arturo Andrade, 25, of Miami; Sean Buendia, 32, of Davie; Lazaro Castellon, 36, of Hialeah; Domenic Enrique, 28, of Pembroke Pines; Tony Estevez, 29, of Miami; Samuel German, 31, of Hollywood, Alberto Hernandez Jr., 20, of Miami; Christopher Isabel, 33, of Plantation; Barbara Lee, 49, of Fort Lauderdale, Andres Lugo, 33, of Plantation; Danielle Lucatorto, 29, of Margate; John Martins, 28, of Lake Worth; Alain Medero, 31, of Miami; Fernando Moreno, 32, of West Palm Beach; Jorge Perez-Hernandez, 44, of Tampa; Luis Rivera, 32, of Miami Beach; Giovanny Rocha-Collado, 35, of Miami; Barbaro Sanchez, 28, of Miami; Bobbie Tejada, 32, of Fort Lauderdale; Jerry Vazquez, 35, of West Palm Beach; Giovanny Viera, 35, of Miami; and Juan Marcos Vega, 22, of Homestead.