U.S. Attorney John J. Durham has announced the formation of the Eastern District of New York’s Transnational Criminal Organizations (TCOs) Strike Force. The initiative aims to tackle cartels and TCOs by prosecuting their senior leadership on charges such as terrorism, racketeering, and operating a continuing criminal enterprise.
"I am establishing this Strike Force with immense pride in what this Office has already accomplished, as well as the knowledge that there is much more work to be done in the fight against TCOs," stated United States Attorney Durham. "Because of my Office’s significant experience and expertise in this area, we have a responsibility to our community and our country to dismantle these ruthless organizations from the top down."
For over 20 years, the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of New York has been at the forefront of prosecuting major TCOs both nationally and internationally. This includes high-profile cases against groups like La Mara Salvatrucha (MS-13), Sinaloa Cartel, Guadalajara Cartel, Juarez Cartel, H-2 Drug Cartel, Clan de Golfo, among others.
Consistent with an Attorney General memorandum titled “TOTAL ELIMINATION OF CARTELS AND TRANSNATIONAL CRIMINAL ORGANIZATIONS,” issued on February 5, 2025, which aligns with President Trump’s Executive Order on January 20, 2025 regarding TCOs such as TdA and MS-13, the Strike Force's mission involves:
- Investigating and dismantling cartels and TCOs with a focus on senior leadership.
- Disrupting criminal activities impacting U.S. victims or involving crimes like terrorism; drug trafficking; human trafficking; money laundering; immigration crimes; fraud; cybercrime.
- Identifying sources of illicit funds related to TCO financing.
- Coordinating efforts with federal law enforcement partners including FBI, DEA, Homeland Security Investigations.
Francisco J. Navarro will serve as Director of the EDNY TCO Strike Force with Assistant U.S. Attorneys Megan E. Farrell and Gabriel Park as Deputy Directors.
Navarro joined the Department in 2013 and has led significant prosecutions including those against Rafael Caro Quintero for his role in leading a criminal enterprise linked to DEA Special Agent Enrique “Kiki” Camarena's murder.
Farrell has prosecuted organized crime cases during her tenure at the Office since 2018 while Park joined in 2022 after serving in the Air Force Judge Advocate General’s Corps focusing on violent organized crime cases.