9 alleged MS-13 gang members arrested in cold case murders in Broward, Palm Beach

Nine alleged MS-13 gang members have been arrested in connection with homicide cases that had gone cold in Broward and Palm Beach counties, U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi and other officials announced on Friday.

Bondi led a news conference in South Florida to announce the results of "Operation Sombra de la Bestia (Operation Shadow of the Beast)."

The cases are four gang-related homicides that happened in Broward and Palm Beach in 2014 and 2015, according to a news release.

"They’re not just a street gang. They are a highly organized terrorist organization," Bondi said. "More arrests are coming. If you are a gang member living in this country, I would self deport right now because we are coming after you."

Authorities said one of the cases resulted in a forensic excavation and recovery of the body of Joel Canizales-Lara in Oakland Park in May 2021. He had been reported missing in 2014.

His remains were found after several days of extensive digging at a site in the 4200 block of North Dixie Highway, BSO officials said at the time.

Wilson Tirado-Silva, Miguel Cabrera Granados and Melvin David Cruz-Ortiz are accused in Canizales-Lara's murder. Authorities said they believed the victim had falsely claimed to be a member of MS-13 from El Salvador.

Once they found that he was not a recognized MS-13 gang member, in late November 2014, the suspects allegedly lured Canizales-Lara to a vacant field, stabbed him to death and buried him in a makeshift grave. He was just 18.

"If you come here in this community and decide that you are going to take a life, we are going to unleash every single resource to bring you to justice," said Broward Sheriff Gregory Tony, who also attended the news conference.

One of those suspects, Melvin David Cruz-Ortiz, is also accused of participating in the killing of 22-year-old Gerson Vilelio Vasquez-Portillo, along with eight others. Bondi said the suspects stabbed him approximately 100 times, "almost like a game, to get a higher level in their gang initiation," even referring to him as a "piñata."

He was eventually shot in the head. His body was found on May 3, 2015, in a vacant lot in Palm Beach.

Some of the victims' family members attended the news conference.

"We’ve very sorry for your loss and I know you have to relive this. Thank you for being here today," Bondi told them.

The suspects are accused of first-degree murder and their cases are being reviewed to see if they may face the death penalty if convicted.

Bondi spoke alongside Broward Sheriff Dr. Gregory Tony, members of the Broward Sheriff's Office Cold Case Homicide Unit and Gang Investigations Task Force, the United States Attorney’s Office, the FBI, U.S. Border Patrol and other law enforcement agencies.

This is a developing story. Refresh for updates.