More MS-13, 'War Ready' Gang Busts In NJ: Drugs Planted In Snacks

At least 27 people have been arrested – and an MS-13 gang member faces jail for planting drugs in sugary snacks – as federal authorities clamp down on the potential for more "war ready" gang violence in New Jersey.

A member of MS-13 orchestrated the trafficking of methamphetamine, heroin, and cocaine to New Jersey from inside a prison, U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito announced this week. A search revealed heroin, cocaine and methamphetamine hidden inside a box of Little Debbie Swiss Rolls, according to a U.S. Attorney's Office release.

Also, a recent rash of gun violence – including the mass shooting at the Art all Night Festival earlier this year – may be linked to a violent drug trafficking ring, federal authorities announced this past week.

Twenty-seven people have been charged in connection with a "war ready" drug ring that sold heroin and used guns and violence to maintain their hold on drug activities in the Mercer County area, according to federal authorities. Read more: 27 Arrested in 'War Ready' Gang Bust

The busts were among a number of big arrests recently spotlighted by the Trump administration to show the potential threats posed by notorious gangs in America. The State Police has taken the threat seriously, and has released reports showing how deep the threat has been in New Jersey.

Read more: MS-13 Gang Threat In NJ: Here's Where They've Been Found

In the MS-13 case, Luis Calderon, 32, otherwise known as “Lagrima,” pleaded guilty before U.S. Magistrate Judge Joseph A. Dickson in Newark federal court to an indictment charging him with conspiracy to distribute, and to possess with intent to distribute, methamphetamine, heroin, and cocaine. He was sentenced to 10 years in prison this past wek for orchestrating the racket from inside a California state prison.

The bulk of Calderon's activities took place between August and November 2015 when he was incarcerated at the Calipatria State Prison in California. Calderon had access to multiple contraband cellular telephones, which he used to communicate with conspirators outside the prison, according to the release.

Law enforcement officers recorded numerous telephone conversations between Calderon and an MS-13 member based in New Jersey. Calderon and the individual discussed plans to distribute crystal methamphetamine, heroin, and cocaine in the New Jersey area.

Calderon and the individual, whose name was not disclosed, ultimately settled on that plan that involved Calderon and others outside the prison sending a package containing controlled substances to a business center in Edison, according to the release.

Shortly before the package arrived, Calderon informed the individual by telephone that he was sending a package containing four ounces each of heroin and cocaine. Calderon stated that the package would also likely contain two ounces or more of crystal methamphetamine.

Calderon said the total cost for the heroin, cocaine, and crystal methamphetamine was $9,000, and said the individual could keep the proceeds made from selling the drugs.

Federal agents ultimately intercepted and searched the package. That was the search that revealed approximately 95.5 grams of heroin, 54.7 grams of cocaine, and 52.4 grams of methamphetamine hidden inside a box of Little Debbie Swiss Rolls, according to the release.

In the Mercer County case, one of the 27 people charged sent a text message containing a picture of three guns to another conspirator with an accompanying message that read, "War ready," authorities said. One of the guns was outfitted with an extended magazine capable of loading approximately 50 rounds of ammunition.

The 27 people arrested are accused of running the violent narcotics ring in the areas of Martin Luther King Boulevard; Sanford, Middle Rose, and Southard streets; and Hoffman and Coolidge avenues in Trenton since October of last year, according to U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito.

Conspirators are also accused of possessing, sharing, supplying, and actively seeking to obtain weapons to protect their territory, according to authorities. Investigators said they seized possessed, shared, supplied, and actively sought to obtain firearms.

The charges follow a rash of gun violence in the area in which the drug ring was concentrated, according to authorities. Authorities believe most of that violence is the result of the rivalry between this group and a rival gang.

Carpenito said the mass shooting at the Art All Night Festival in Trenton that left one dead and 29 injured on Father's Day may be linked to the ongoing feud. The gunman who was shot by police in that incident was previously identified as a member of the Bloods, although Carpenito didn't identify any gangs in his press conference.

Read more: Alleged Gunman Indicted In Art All Night Festival Mass Shooting

"Despite progress in reducing gun violence in Trenton, we cannot rest," Carpenito said in a statement following the press conference. "A recent spate of shootings shows that we must always be vigilant, and ready to respond to gang violence. Our message to the Trenton community should be loud and clear: We are here, we are watching, and we will not stand idly by while illegal drug distribution, firearms possession, and violent crime terrorize this great city."

ICE photo