Oakland, CA — Federal authorities have announced the arrest and indictment of nine alleged gang members following an early morning FBI raid in Oakland, linked to a series of violent crimes dating back to 2019, including two murders, three attempted murders, and extensive drug and firearm trafficking.
FBI Raid in East Oakland
At around 4 a.m. on Wednesday, FBI agents, joined by Oakland police officers and emergency personnel, executed a coordinated operation at an apartment near Colomo Street and Fruitvale Avenue. The raid resulted in the arrest of six suspects, with two others already in custody and one still at large, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of California.
Video footage from the scene showed federal agents swarming the property, while stunned neighbors looked on. One resident told local media outlet KTVU she heard “loud banging” and initially believed it was gunfire, only to discover a large police presence outside her home.
Federal Indictment and Defendants
The federal grand jury indictment, filed on October 9, names the following defendants, all of whom are alleged members of Oakland-based Sureño street gangs:
- Marvin Bonilla, a/k/a “Malandro,” 24
- Edwin Cano-Merida, a/k/a “Zombie,” 24
- Cesar Rolando Lucas-Pablo, a/k/a “Lobo,” 28
- Walfer Mendoza-Mendoza, a/k/a “Shorty,” 31
- Gonzalo Pablo, a/k/a “Chalo,” 25
- Jeronimo “Orlando” Pablo-Carrillo, a/k/a “Paisano,” 41
- Mario Pablo-Matias, a/k/a “Chuco,” 24
- Raymundo Pablo-Matias, a/k/a “El Moch,” 31
- Carlos Ramiro-Mendoza, a/k/a “Minch,” 28
The men are charged with racketeering conspiracy, murder, attempted murder, narcotics distribution, and firearms trafficking.
According to prosecutors, Lucas-Pablo and Pablo-Carrillo were already in custody before the raid, while Gonzalo Pablo remains wanted. Several defendants are reportedly unlawfully residing in the U.S., though officials did not specify which individuals.
The arraignment for all defendants is scheduled for Thursday before U.S. Magistrate Judge Donna M. Ryu.
Gang Structure and Territories
Federal documents identify the defendants as members of a larger racketeering enterprise known as the Oakland Sureños, an organization tied to the Mexican Mafia prison gang. The group operated through smaller factions, or “cliques,” that controlled different territories across Oakland.
Two of the primary cliques, SAP and SSL-502, dominated different neighborhoods:
- SAP (short for San Antonio Park) originally controlled the area between 16th Avenue and 18th Avenue, before moving operations to Estuary Park in 2019.
- SSL-502, meaning South Side Locos combined with 502 (Guatemala’s country code), claimed areas near 72nd Avenue before expanding to Arroyo Viejo Park around 2017.
According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, the gang carried out violent acts — including shootings, murders, and drug trafficking — to increase their influence, control territory, and enhance reputation within the organization.
2019 Slayings and Other Violent Crimes
Court documents outline a series of violent attacks allegedly linked to the Oakland Sureños, including two 2019 murders and multiple attempted killings. Prosecutors allege that many victims were rivals or individuals perceived as disrespecting the gang, with some innocent bystanders caught in the crossfire.
Special Sentencing Allegations
- Gonzalo Pablo: Charged in the Nov. 22, 2018, attempted murder of an unidentified victim.
- Cesar Rolando Lucas-Pablo, Jeronimo “Orlando” Pablo-Carrillo, and Carlos Ramiro-Mendoza: Accused in the Jan. 5, 2019, murder of a victim identified as “R.B.P.”
- Carlos Ramiro-Mendoza and Jeronimo “Orlando” Pablo-Carrillo: Charged in the Jan. 19, 2019, murder of “S.R.J.”
- Edwin Cano-Merida and Mario Pablo-Matias: Accused of attempted murder of “M.M.” on May 15, 2021.
Each of the nine men faces one count of racketeering conspiracy, carrying a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
Federal Response
U.S. Attorney Craig H. Missakian condemned the violence, stating:
“Like people everywhere, the residents of Oakland deserve safe and peaceful neighborhoods, not ones filled with fear and senseless violence. The administration has made it clear that enough is enough.”
The FBI and Oakland Police Department continue their joint investigation into the gang’s criminal network. Authorities have urged anyone with information about Gonzalo Pablo’s whereabouts to contact law enforcement immediately.
What’s your take on this major FBI crackdown in Oakland? Share your thoughts below — do you believe federal efforts like this are the key to restoring safety in local communities?
