Reputed gang members arrested in raid

NEW BEDFORD, Mass. (WPRI) - Thirteen reputed gang members from New Bedford are now facing state and federal charges as the result of a two-year investigation.

Eight members are charged with federal drug offenses and five defendants are facing drug crimes with the Bristol County District Attorney's office.

In addition to drug trafficking, the organization to which the gang members belong has been involved in a gang war in New Bedford and is responsible for numerous shootings, murders and other acts of violence, authorities said during a news conference Thursday.

Several hours before the news conference a raid went down at 100 Holly St. in the city. Police, FBI agents and members from the Bristol County District Attorney's Office were all on scene.

During the raid, authorities arrested several of the defendants.

The following defendants were charged in federal court:

Tyson Britto age 24, of New Bedford

• Distribution of Cocaine, Distribution of At Least 5 Grams of Cocaine Base

John Burgos, a/k/a “Boogs,” age 30, of New Bedford

• Conspiracy to Distribute Cocaine Base, Distribution of At Least 5 Grams of
• Cocaine Base, Distribution of Cocaine Base Within 1000 Feet of School

John C. Burgo, age 22, of New Bedford

• Distribution of Cocaine Base
• Distribution of Cocaine Base Within 1000 Feet of School
• Distribution of Cocaine
• Distribution of Cocaine Within 1000 Feet of School

Aaron Livramento, age 24, of New Bedford

• Distribution of At Least 5 Grams of Cocaine Base
• Distribution of Cocaine Base Within 1000 Feet of School
• Distribution of Cocaine
• Distribution of Cocaine Within 1000 Feet of School

Dione Neves, age 23, of New Bedford

• Possession of At Least 5 Grams of Cocaine Base

Michael Vega-Cruz, age 21, of New Bedford

• Distribution of At Least 5 Grams of Cocaine Base, Possession of Cocaine Base With Intent to Distribute
• Distribution of Cocaine Base Within 1000 Feet of School

Shameka Clement, age 25, of New Bedford

• Distribution of At Least 5 Grams of Cocaine Base

Jame Miranda, age 42, of New Bedford

• Conspiracy to Distribute More Than Five Grams of Cocaine Base

The following defendants are facing state charges. Two juveniles are also charged,  however because of their ages their names were not listed.

Felicia Almeida, age 35, of New Bedford

• Distribution of Class B Substance

Manuel Rebeiro, age 19, of New Bedford

• Distribution of Counterfeit Drug

Dwight Majette, age 31, of New Bedford

• Distribution of Class B Substance.

Terrell Baptiste, one of the leaders of the gang, was arrested and federally charged earlier in the investigation in a stash house for the gang located on Jean Street in New Bedford.

Federal and local law enforcement seized nearly one-half of a kilogram of crack cocaine from the apartment and a safe found inside. Officers also seized a .40 caliber handgun, 511 rounds of .22 caliber ammunition in a drawer, one round of 7.62 ammunition, $5,655 in cash and drug distribution materials including a police scanner.