Feds: Sweep breaks up Cape Cod drug gang; 3 charged with murder

BARNSTABLE, Mass.-- A brother and sister and another man have been charged with murder and about a dozen others are facing drug and gun counts after a series of Tuesday morning raids on Cape Cod that state and federal prosecutors said broke up one of the region's largest drug gangs.

Denzel Chisholm, 25, and his sister, Shannelle Chisholm, 26, are charged with first-degree murder in connection with the stabbing and shooting death of Christine Ferreira, of Barnstable, whose body was found in September at a Route 6 rest area. Tyrone Gomes, who was already in custody, is also charged with first-degree murder.

Denzel Chisholm, an alleged leader of the Nauti Street gang, was among 13 people charged with heroin distribution or firearms charges, U.S. Attorney Carmen Ortiz said at a news conference with Cape and Islands District Attorney Michael O'Keefe, Barnstable Police Chief Paul MacDonald and other officials.

Investigators think Ferreira, 28, was killed in retaliation for her court testimony against another gang member.

"This gang was intent on terrifying or eliminating anyone who posed a threat to their criminal activities," said Daniel Kumor, agent in charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives' Boston office.

The Chisholms are scheduled to appear in state court on the murder charges later Tuesday. It could not immediately be determined if they had lawyers. Gomes' arraignment date has not been determined, state prosecutors said.

The gun and drug charges are federal charges, so most of those defendants will appear Tuesday in U.S. District Court in Boston.

The gang bought heroin in New Bedford then brought it back to the Cape for distribution, Ortiz said.

The investigation was launched because Cape Cod and adjacent Bristol County have the highest opioid overdose rates in the state, she said.