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(by Alexx Altman-Devilbiss, The National News Desk) PUERTO RICO — Eighty-one alleged members of a violent drug trafficking gang operating in western Puerto Rico have been charged in a federal indictment, and 70 were arrested [in August], the Justice Department announced [on August 27].
The defendants are accused of participating in Los Bajadeo, also known as LBD, a drug trafficking organization that authorities say distributed cocaine, crack cocaine, fentanyl, heroin and marijuana beginning in 2021.
U.S. Attorney General Todd Blanche announced the charges during remarks in San Juan, calling the arrests the result of an investigation led by the FBI and Puerto Rico Police Department.
The FBI and the Puerto Rico Police Department successfully led this takedown and arrest of 70 members of a violent drug trafficking organization that had been active for years throughout the west side of Puerto Rico,” Blanche said.
According to the Justice Department, 21 defendants are also charged with possessing firearms in furtherance of alleged drug trafficking crimes. Investigators seized 21 firearms during the investigation.
Authorities allege the group distributed at least 340 kilograms of fentanyl or fentanyl-laced narcotics, along with at least 2,200 kilograms of cocaine, generating an estimated $49 million in proceeds.
Blanche said the gang allegedly used threats and intimidation to protect its drug operation, carrying out murders, drive-by shootings, kidnappings and assaults. Members also allegedly possessed firearms, including machine guns, and fired them in public places.
To protect this enterprise, they carried out extreme acts of violence, including murders, drive-by shootings, kidnappings, and physical assaults,” Blanche said.
81 members of violent Puerto Rico gang charged (DOJ)
The Puerto Rico arrests were among several enforcement actions announced by Blanche. In Ecuador, he said DEA Special Forces, Ecuadorian law enforcement and the Department of War targeted the leadership of Los Choneros and Los Lobos, organizations he said transport drugs throughout the continent.
The operation resulted in 26 arrests, including four alleged Los Lobos leaders and two Mexican nationals alleged to be members of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel, or CJNG, according to Blanche. Authorities seized one metric ton of cocaine, about $1 million in U.S. currency, 35 rifles, 26 vehicles, more than 40 cellphones and an airplane, he said. Three clandestine airstrips and airports were destroyed.
“This operation reflects the strength of our partnership in Ecuador and across the entire Western Hemisphere,” Blanche said.
Blanche also announced that Eric Rendel Masqueo Polanco, whom he described as a Dominican Republic cocaine kingpin and leader of a Dominican-based international drug trafficking operation, was extradited from Colombia to San Juan. Polanco is facing charges in two Puerto Rico indictments and a money laundering case in New Jersey, Blanche said.
“Our homeland security task forces around the country are unified,” Blanche said. “They’re unified to end the presence of criminal cartels, foreign gangs, and transnational criminal organizations around the United States.”
Questions
1. The first paragraph of a news article should answer the questions who, what, where and when. List the who, what, where and when of this news item. (NOTE: The remainder of a news article provides details on the why and/or how.)
2. What is LBD? – What specific illegal drugs has the gang been trafficking?
3. In addition to the drug trafficking charges, what other charges have been made against 21 of the defendants?
4. What specific allegations have been made against Los Bajadeo?
5. What other drug enforcement operations were announced by Attorney General Blanche during the press conference?
6. How do you think news like this affects the morale and daily lives of the people who were previously the victims of these violent gangs?
7. In making the announcement, AG Blanche stated, “Our homeland security task forces around the country are unified…to end the presence of criminal cartels, foreign gangs, and transnational criminal organizations around the United States.”
How does this encourage you?
Background
Los Bajadeo (more commonly spelled Los Baja Deo or LBD) is a violent, large-scale drug trafficking organization and street gang based in Puerto Rico, rather than a traditional international drug cartel.
The group made international headlines following a massive federal law enforcement crackdown led by the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) and the FBI.
The defining details of the organization include:
Primary Operations: The gang operated primarily on the west coast of Puerto Rico, heavily controlling drug distribution points within at least 23 public housing projects and communities in Mayagüez.
The Federal Takedown: A federal grand jury indicted 81 alleged members of the organization for drug trafficking and firearms violations. The sweep resulted in the immediate arrest of 70 members.
Volume of Narcotics: Federal prosecutors revealed the organization was a major pipeline responsible for distributing massive quantities of narcotics since 2021, including over 340 kilograms of fentanyl (or fentanyl-laced substances) and 2,200 kilograms of cocaine, generating an estimated $49 million in illicit proceeds.
Extreme Violence: While structured like a localized organization, they utilized cartel-like terror tactics to maintain control over territory, with officials tying them to numerous kidnappings, drive-by shootings, and approximately 20 murders. Authorities also noted that unlike many Caribbean gangs relying on South American supply chains, Los Baja Deo’s primary suppliers are based in Mexico. (from Google AI Overview of a Sept. 7 query on LBD)
Resources
Read the Aug. 27 Justice Department press release at justice.gov.
Watch a report from The National Desk, August 27, 2026:
Watch Attorney General Todd Blanche’s press conference announcing the arrests:
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