Haiti's 400 Mawozo Gang Leader Flown to the U.S. Over Weapon Smuggling, Kidnapping

One of the leaders of Haiti's notorious 400 Mawozo gang was extradited to the United States on Tuesday after a request from the U.S. on April 22.

According to BBC, the extradited gang leader was identified as Germine Joly, also known as Yonyon. He was flown to the U.S. for smuggling weapons and kidnapping U.S. citizens.

Joly was sent o the U.S. aboard a special flight with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). Authorities did not immediately mention where the gang leader was being taken to, but a source told Miami Herald that Joly will be brought to Washington D.C.

It was unclear what process Joly will undergo once he reached the United States.

Joly had been held at the National Penitentiary in Port-au-Prince for several years until his extradition on Tuesday.

He reportedly ran the 400 Mawozo gang from behind bars using his cellphone and negotiated the release of hostages and his freedom, as their gang was known for abductions.

Haiti's 400 Mawozo Gang

The 400 Mawozo gang in Haiti is one of the largest criminal gangs in the country. The said group is known for kidnapping civilians.

One of their well-known operations happened last year, where Christian missionaries from the United States and Canada were held captive by the group for at least two months.

The group demanded a $1 million ransom for each of the missionaries, but some of them were slowly released by the group.

The Haitian gang was also behind the kidnapping of a Dominican Republic Diplomat Carlos Guillen on Friday. Guillen was reportedly seized by the group while he was traveling in his country.

The Dominican Foreign Ministry refused to elaborate on the details of Guillen's kidnapping. However, a Dominican official said that the 400 Mawozo gangs asked for $500,000 in exchange for the diplomat's freedom.

The 400 Mawozo gang does not pick their target when it comes to kidnapping. According to reports, the victims of the said gang includes priest, busloads of Haitians, foreigners, and even police officers.

The said Haitian group controls a highly strategic area in Haiti for several years. These include the only road to the country's north and the only road that leads Port-au-Prince to the Dominican Republic.

Haiti Gangs Effect

400 Mawozo gang is not the only group that operates in the country.

In recent days, the 400 Mawozo gang has engaged in a fight against rival gang Chen Mechan, paralyzing the northern suburb of Haiti's capital.

On Monday, residents from the impoverished area of Cite Soleil ran away from their homes as gun battles broke out.

The ongoing armed conflict has also led to the deaths of at least 20 civilians over the past nine days, per Miami Herald.

Haiti's gangs have grown in strength since President Jovenel Moise was assassinated in July last year.

Thousands of people took to the streets of Haiti last month to demand the late president's successor, Ariel Henry, to do more in connection with the country's gangs.

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written By: Joshua Summers

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