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The largest indictment of its kind in Santa Clara County history was handed down to 48 suspected gang members believed to be part of the Nuestra Familia crew. The suspects are charged with crimes ranging from murder to selling drugs.

Officials released details on the bust Tuesday (June 11). The investigation dates back to 2010, and includes nine women.

From the San Jose Mercury News:

Forty-eight alleged members and associates of the Nuestra Familia prison gang’s street regiments were indicted last month by a Santa Clara County criminal grand jury on 77 felony charges, ranging from selling methamphetamine to murder.

The interagency investigation spanned a three-year period and is still continuing, Rosen said.

One of the 48 men and women, Mario “Green Eyes” Soria, was arrested Tuesday morning.

Nine suspects remain at large. Rosen urged anyone with information about the fugitives to immediately call the police or Crime Stoppers at 408-947-STOP.

“This is not a citizens-arrest situation,” Rosen cautioned. “This is a sophisticated, complex criminal organization that required a sophisticated, multifaceted law enforcement and prosecutorial response.”

Nuestra Familia (Spanish for “Our Family”) is a notoriously violent Hispanic prison gang that originated in the 1960s.

Rosen called the case a “significant blow” to the gang, which runs about 27 street-level gangs engaged in drug trafficking and violent crimes. He also noted that his office has continued the longtime practice of donating $50,000 a year in asset forfeiture funds to San Jose’s gang prevention task force.

Among the list of offenses is the death of 38-year-old Martin Chacon, fatally gunned down while sitting in his car last August.  Four of the indicted –Josef Ryan Oakes, 24, Angel Kiko Martinez, 30, and Alberto Jose Larez, 44, Rubin Cruz, 21– were all arrested in the slaying.

Santa Clara’s bust follows a similarly large roundup in New York City where 63 gang members were indicted in April.

 

Photo:  NBC Bay Area