FBI’s 'Operation Broken Crown' Nets Nearly 50 Alleged Latin Kings Members in Multistate Sweep

The FBI announced Friday that nearly 50 alleged members and associates of the Latin Kings street gang were arrested in a multistate operation targeting gang-related activity, drug trafficking and threats against law enforcement.

FBI Director Kash Patel said the bureau has been conducting an operation targeting the Latin Kings gang across the country.(Getty Images)

Operation Broken Crown

Called "Operation Broken Crown," the three-month initiative began in October 2025 and involved more than a dozen FBI field offices working alongside federal, state, local and tribal partners to disrupt the Latin Kings' nationwide criminal operations. The agency said the sweep aimed to dismantle networks that facilitate violent crime and narcotics distribution.

The FBI announced a nationwide crackdown on the Latin Kings street gang, resulting in nearly 50 arrests and the seizure of firearms, drugs and illicit cash.

Seizures and Evidence

Since the operation began, investigators seized more than a dozen firearms, nearly $200,000 in illicit funds and over 10 kilograms of cocaine, fentanyl and other narcotics, the FBI reported. In separate actions connected to the overall effort, agents recovered weapons and cash in multiple cities.

Federal authorities say a multi-state FBI operation disrupted the Latin Kings gang’s criminal network across the U.S.

"Under President Trump’s and Attorney General Bondi’s leadership, this FBI is dismantling violent gang networks in America at a record clip — breaking their operations and saving lives in the process," FBI Director Kash Patel said in a statement. "We will continue working 24/7 to crush violent crime and eliminate networks facilitating harm on the American people."

Notable Case Outcomes

The FBI reported several specific case developments tied to the operation:

• In Indianapolis, an investigation led to an alleged Latin Kings member receiving a 21-year federal prison sentence after pleading guilty to distribution of methamphetamine.
• In the District of Minnesota, an alleged member was charged in federal court with being a felon in possession of a firearm and with theft of government property after prosecutors say he broke into an FBI vehicle and stole a rifle.
• In Milwaukee, the FBI Milwaukee Area Safe Streets Task Force executed five residential search warrants in January, arresting four suspected Latin Kings members on drug trafficking and firearm possession charges and seizing 10 firearms and more than $120,000 in illicit funds. Two additional suspects were later arrested; agents also recovered a rifle fitted with a machine-gun conversion device and a pistol.

The FBI also said one member of the Latin Kings explicitly threatened a law enforcement officer in October 2025 and was subsequently arrested. Officials emphasized that the arrests and seizures are part of ongoing efforts to reduce violent crime and disrupt organized criminal activity across state lines.

Note: The FBI described this activity as part of a broader increase in takedown operations over the past year, targeting violent transnational and street gangs.