Over the weekend, a high-ranking leader of the notorious MS-13 criminal gang, Cesar Humberto Lopez-Larios, was apprehended in Texas after evading law enforcement for more than three years. The arrest, carried out by the FBI and Homeland Security Investigations at George Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston, marks a significant milestone in the fight against this international criminal enterprise.
Lopez-Larios, also known as 'Grenas de Stoners' and 'Oso de Stoners,' faces serious charges including conspiracy to provide and conceal material support to terrorists, conspiracy to commit acts of terrorism transcending national boundaries, conspiracy to finance terrorism, and narco-terrorism conspiracy. His capture has disrupted his alleged role in directing MS-13's reign of terror and financial activities.
According to FBI Acting Assistant Director-in-Charge Krysti Hawkins, Lopez-Larios' arrest has put an end to his position of power within MS-13, preventing further bloodshed and the enrichment of the gang and its cartel associates. The defendant, along with 13 other MS-13 leaders, is accused of orchestrating criminal activities spanning the U.S., El Salvador, Mexico, and other regions over the past two decades.
Lopez-Larios made an appearance in federal court in Houston and is set to be transferred to the Eastern District of New York for further legal proceedings. United States Attorney Breon Peace emphasized that the defendant will face justice for the violence and chaos MS-13 has inflicted on communities, particularly on Long Island where the gang has caused significant harm.
The arrest of Lopez-Larios serves as a crucial step in dismantling MS-13's operations and holding its leaders accountable for their crimes. As the legal process unfolds, authorities are committed to ensuring that individuals involved in organized crime face the consequences of their actions, bringing justice to those affected by their illicit activities.
