In the bustling neighborhoods of South Jamaica, Queens, a violent rivalry between two gangs—Money World and Local Trap Stars—has plagued residents for years. Fueled by relentless violence, social media taunts, and drill music videos, these gangs terrorized the community, leaving a trail of shootings, murders, and a sense of fear that permeated the streets. However, after a long-term investigation, the NYPD has managed to dismantle these rival gangs, offering a sense of relief and justice to the affected families.
The Murder of Amamir Griffin: The Catalyst for Change
The investigation began in 2019 with the tragic murder of 14-year-old Amamir Griffin, a promising high school basketball player. Griffin was gunned down on a basketball court in the Basley Houses, a notorious neighborhood in South Jamaica. His death served as a catalyst for the NYPD’s focus on the escalating gang violence in the area. As detectives dug deeper, they discovered a long history of shootings tied to the ongoing feud between Money World and the Local Trap Stars.
A Tactical, Focused Approach to Gang Busts
Unlike traditional gang sweeps, which often cast a wide net and target a large number of individuals, the NYPD took a more focused and tactical approach to dismantling the gangs. The operation involved more than 150 detectives and supervisors, who carefully tracked the members of both gangs, many of whom had prior arrests and were already incarcerated for other crimes.
The NYPD’s focus was on taking the most dangerous offenders off the streets. According to police, the rivalry between the two gangs was primarily over territory, not money or drugs. However, social media and drill rap videos played a significant role in stoking the violence. The gangs used these videos to taunt each other, often referencing past shootings and boasting about their violent exploits.
The Role of Social Media and Drill Music
Drill rap, a genre known for its violent and explicit lyrics, became a major motivator for the escalating violence. The videos, often shared on social media platforms, not only incited retaliation but also fueled a never-ending cycle of violence. As Captain Gillis of the NYPD explained, these videos would frequently disrespect the memory of those killed in previous shootings, sparking further acts of violence. “It’s a tit for tat,” he said. “Everyone’s trying to get one up on the scoreboard.”
The use of drill music as a tool for fueling violence was a significant part of the investigation. Police noticed that these videos were not just a reflection of the violence but a key element in the rivalry itself, contributing to the ongoing tension in the community. By focusing on the individuals behind the videos, detectives were able to gather valuable evidence and make arrests.
Coordinated Raids and Arrests
In early 2023, the NYPD executed a series of carefully coordinated raids. With over 150 officers involved, the department aimed to arrest suspects in their homes, taking them into custody without incident. Many of the gang members, including those responsible for murder and other violent crimes, were located in various parts of the city, including Riker’s Island, where they had been serving time for other offenses.
The takedown was not without its challenges. The NYPD took precautions to ensure the safety of both officers and civilians, especially considering that some suspects were armed and dangerous. “We got bulletproof vests for ourselves,” said a journalist accompanying the raid. The suspects, who ranged in age from 18 to 22, had been involved in some of the most violent acts in the neighborhood, including shootings in broad daylight, often in front of innocent bystanders.
Gang Violence and Community Impact
The impact of gang violence on the South Jamaica community has been devastating. The area had been terrorized by a series of shootings, many of which were tied to the gang rivalry. Innocent bystanders, including children, were often caught in the crossfire. The rivalry was so intense that police had to separate the families and associates of the gang members during the raids to prevent further violence.
As Detective Brandon Rllo, one of the lead officers in the operation, explained, “It’s personal for me. I grew up in this area. Seeing the violence, it affects the whole community.” His deep connection to the neighborhood motivated him and his team to pursue justice for the victims and their families. The NYPD’s efforts in taking down these gangs were seen as a victory for the entire community, who had long lived in fear of the violence.
A New Threat: The Venezuelan Gang Trend Aragua
In addition to dismantling the local gangs, the NYPD also uncovered a growing threat from the Venezuelan gang known as Trend Aragua. This gang had infiltrated the city in recent years, using the migrant influx to smuggle guns and drugs into New York. Trend Aragua members were found to be actively involved in violent crimes, including shootings and robberies.
Investigators discovered that members of Trend Aragua had even been involved in smuggling firearms into city shelters, hidden inside food delivery packages to avoid metal detectors. The gang’s shift from petty crimes to violent confrontations in the streets raised alarms for the NYPD, who are now focusing on preventing their further expansion into New York’s underground crime scene.
A Step Forward for Justice and Safety
Despite the challenges faced by the NYPD, the department remains committed to keeping New Yorkers safe. “We are laser-focused on making sure that we keep the public safe,” said one detective involved in the operation. With the takedown of these two rival gangs, the NYPD has not only brought justice to the victims of violence but also sent a clear message to those who seek to terrorize their communities.
The gang takedowns in South Jamaica serve as a reminder of the importance of focused investigations and the need to address the root causes of violence. By targeting the most violent offenders and dismantling their networks, the NYPD hopes to restore peace to neighborhoods affected by gang violence and send a message to other gangs that such behavior will not be tolerated.
