A two-year investigation conducted by Gwinnett and federal authorities led to the arrest of the believed leader of the “La Gran Familia” street gang, as well as a dozen of his underlings, police said.
Gwinnett County police announced Tuesday the developments in the ongoing investigation, which they said revealed that local members of the gang — a largely Latino crime syndicate with a strong presence in metro Atlanta — were “buying and selling cocaine, methamphetamine, Xanax, marijuana and firearms.” With the help of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and four other federal agencies, Gwinnett police spread out across the county and other jurisdictions on May 20 in an attempt to serve dozens of warrants against 18 wanted suspects.
A total of 13 believed gang members were arrested at several different locations. Among those detained were “leadership and major associates” of La Gran Familia — including Miguel “Tops” Sanchez, who Gwinnett County police spokesman Cpl. Deon Washington said was believed to be the leader of the entire organization.
“It’s good work any time we can get that many people (in one operation),” Washington said.
Sanchez had two previous addresses in the Lawrenceville area. He is now in federal custody.
Last month’s operation also resulted in the seizure of 10 firearms, more than $61,000 cash, 302 Xanax pills, nearly 1,000 grams of methamphetamine and small amounts of marijuana and cocaine, Washington said.
As of Tuesday, five suspects named by police had not been detained: Spencer “Speedy” Clark; Adan “Panzas” Garcia; Patrick “Little Grumpy” Mendez; Juan Jose “Sleepy” Rodriguez; and Jose “Demon” Velasquez.
Anyone with information on their whereabouts can contact the Gwinnett police gangs unit at 770-513-5300. Tipsters can also remain anonymous — and be eligible for rewards up to $2,000 — by contacting Crime Stoppers at 404-577-TIPS or crimestoppersatlanta.org.
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