27 Chicago-area gang members arrested in nationwide ICE sweep

A five-week nationwide operation by U.S. Immigrations and Customs Enforcement led to the arrests of 27 Chicago-area gang members.

Project Shadowfire, a five-week operation targeting gangs, netted 1,133 arrests nationally and 27 in the Chicago area, according to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

All 27 men arrested in the Chicago area were members or associates of street gangs, including the Latin Kings, Maniac Latin Disciples and Gangster Disciples, according to a statement from ICE.

Fifteen were foreign nationals from Mexico and Belize; 12 were U.S. citizens who were turned over to local law enforcement on outstanding warrants; and four were foreign nationals previously deported from the United States who illegally re-entered the country.

The majority of the arrests were made in Chicago, and the rest in Cicero, Deerfield, Maywood, North Chicago, Rosemont, Skokie, Summit and Waukegan.

One of those arrested was a 32-year-old Latin Kings gang member with prior convictions for aggravated robbery with a weapon, burglary, drug possession, soliciting a sex act and drunk driving, according to the statement. He was arrested Feb. 28 in Maywood.

Another was a 30-year-old previously deported Latin King with prior convictions for possession of a controlled substance and aggravated unlawful use of a weapon. He was arrested again Feb. 22 in Chicago.

A third arrest was that of a 27-year-old Latin King with prior convictions for manufacture/delivery of a controlled substance, possession of a controlled substance and theft. He was arrested March 7 in Chicago.

All three remain in ICE custody pending removal to Mexico.