Feds Arrest Gang Members In Houston, Other Texas Cities

HOUSTON, TX -- Federal prosecutors announced the arrests of 10 members of Latino prison gang, Hermandad de Pistoleros Latinos — or HPL gang.

According to the Associated Press, the 10 gang members were arrested in coordinated roundups in Corpus Christi, Houston and San Antonio.

The Justice Department said the arrests came as a result of a three-year investigation of drug trafficking involving members of the HPL gang.

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Federal prosecutors charged four of the gang members with conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and two with conspiracy to distribute heroin.

Three others were charged with conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine distribution and possession to distribute the drug.

Besides the drug charge, the 10th person arrested also faces weapons charges.

Penalties if convicted on the charges vary from 10 years to life in prison.

Hermandad de Pistoleros Latinos, which translates to "Brotherhood of the Latin Gunman,”was founded in Texas prisons in the 1980s as a protective measure from members of the texas Syndicate.

However, over the last three decades, the HLP has grown to an estimated 4,000 members that has evolved into involvement into narcotics trafficking, kidnapping and murder.

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