Report says that street gangs are running drug rings in Vermont
Thursday, March 6, 2008 at 12:45PM WPTZ.com reports that a new study by the National Drug Intelligence Center has found that "street gangs are running drug rings in Vermont." According to the study, "street gangs are relocating to rural areas like Vermont and establishing local drug distribution networks." For example, "members of Killer Bronx Committee or KBC, a drug gang based in New York City, moved their drug operation to Winooski five years ago" and Vermont State Police have arrested members of national street gangs including the Bloods and the Crips. Vermont State Police Maj. Thomas L'Esperance noted that "gang members are bringing a culture of street violence with them" and that many "gang members working in Vermont are flying under the radar [by] not claiming their gang affiliation."
VCF Staff
The Times Argus "an alleged member of the infamous Bloods gang was located, tracked down and arrested" by police in Stowe on Wednesday, March 5, 2008. "According to court documents [the suspect] was convicted of felony racketeering, conspiracy to distribute drugs and possession of a firearm and was on probation when he was picked up."
VCF Staff
The Times Argus reports that Governor James Douglas is "worried about what appears to be a recent spate of gang and drug activity in Vermont" and "stressed that law enforcement must continue to get tough on gang and drug activity in the state." Douglas noted that "while Vermont's crime rate remains among the lowest in the country, certain types of crimes, including sex crimes and some drug and drug-related offenses, continue to be an issue." He also voiced concerns about "the loss of federal anti-drug grant money."
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