Authorities bust alleged mob ring with gang ties

New Jersey prosecutors said Tuesday they broke up a major organized crime ring with gang connections. Thirty-two were arrested, including two ruling members of the New York-based Lucchese organized crime

News 12 Staff

Dec 18, 2007, 11:49 PM

Updated 5,970 days ago

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Authorities bust alleged mob ring with gang ties
New Jersey prosecutors said Tuesday they broke up a major organized crime ring with gang connections.
Thirty-two were arrested, including two ruling members of the New York-based Lucchese organized crime family, according to state Attorney General Anne Milgram.
"With today's arrests and charges, we have disrupted the highest echelon of the Lucchese organized crime family in both New York and New Jersey," Milgram said.
Milgram also said the gambling operation included bets on professional and college sports, greyhound racing and a criminal lottery. Investigators said the gambling ring brought in about $2.2 billion in bets over 15 months. According to Milgram, the mobsters were also working with a subset of the Bloods street gang to smuggle drugs and prepaid cell phones into East Jersey State Prison in Woodbridge.
A prison guard at the jail, who allegedly aided in the smuggling, is charged with taking bribes, conspiracy to distribute heroin and other offenses.
Others were charged with racketeering and money laundering, charges that each carry sentences of 20 years upon conviction.
Police executed a number of search warrants around New Jersey in connection with the sweep. Up to 20 people will be arraigned in Morris County Superior Court Wednesday.
AP wire reports contributed to this article.


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