Columbia police indict local gang for drug trafficking
The group is charged with drug trafficking and drive-by shootings.
Published Jan. 30, 2009
Executive Assistant U.S. Attorney Dan Nelson and Interim Police Chief Tom Dresner revealed the indictment of 16 people involved in a local drug trafficking gang in a news conference Thursday.
The Columbia Police Department, in association with Boone County and FBI agents, held a press conference to announce the indictment Thursday afternoon.
The 16 people involved in local drug trafficking were also arrested on charges in association with numerous drive-by shootings at public locations, as well as possession of illegal firearms.
Nelson said the suspects were fighting with their rivals over turf, in addition to the drug trafficking. Nelson also said the investigation includes other gangs.
"There are other gangs that are under law enforcement scrutiny right now, and I think those investigations will be ongoing," Nelson said.
Members of the gang, referred to as the Cut Throats, were originally charged in 2007. It is alleged that the 16-member gang, with the youngest member being 19, operated under violence to defend their prohibited involvement in drug trafficking. Drugs such as crack, cocaine and marijuana were involved in the alleged drug trafficking.
The Cut Throats also caused three public shootings at various gas stations, involving innocent bystanders in the violence.
"A lot of these people were on the radar with the law enforcement anyway," Nelson said. "There's still been a lot of investigating."
Nelson said significant developments were made in the case after the police department and the FBI began working together.
Government officials filed a proposal to have the arrested defendants kept in custody without bond. The defendants are being kept at facilities throughout Missouri.
"I think this indictment sends a message that law enforcement is focused on this problem, and focused on the problems of gangs, and violence and drug trafficking," Nelson said.
