Feds Take Down Violent Suburban Gang

by KYW's Tony Hanson

Federal authorities have broken up a violent Darby drug gang during a 17-month joint federal and local investigation that resutled in over 225 arrests.

U-S Attorney Zane Memenger (pictured at right) said twelve members of the Third Street boys gang, also known as third north homicide, were indicted.

"They used violence to ensure drug traffickers would not compete with them. They used violence in order to ensure poeple would not cooperate with law enforcement. In fact, as set forth in the indictment, there was an incident where an innocent resident of Darby was shot by members of the organization to keep them from cooperating with law enforcement."

That victim survived. Authorities also said the gang used juveniles, children as young as twelve and 13, to carry and deal drugs to try to beat law enforcement.

Darby Police Chief Robert Smythe said the gang simply thought Third Street was their domain, but authorities said this ongoing law enforcement effort would help the law abiding citizens take back their street and neighborhood.

(photos by KYW's Tony Hanson)