ATF Seattle Executes Numerous Search and Arrest Warrants in Operation Black Rain

SEATTLE, Oct. 21 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco,
Firearms and Explosives (ATF) Acting Special Agent in Charge Douglas R. Dawson
today announced that the Seattle Field Division executed four search warrants
and one arrest warrant in both Oregon and Washington on members of the Mongols
Outlaw Motorcycle Gang. The enforcement actions today were conducted without
incident, and were in connection with the Los Angeles Field Division's three
year undercover investigation, Operation Black Rain.

Mongols members in other states are being charged with murder, attempted
murder, assaults, firearms violations and narcotics violations. These violent
crimes will be incorporated as predicate acts in a federal racketeering
prosecution to further dismantle the Mongols criminal organization from coast
to coast. No Oregon Mongols members have been charged with criminal offenses
at this time. One member in Washington State has been charged and arrested.

"ATF's primary concern is the safety of our citizens. Today's events again
showed our continued commitment to combat violent crime and take back the
streets," said Dawson. "This organization is heavily armed and violent with
most of its members in Southern California, but their crimes are as far
reaching as Oregon and Washington."

"I am gratified by the results that this joint investigative effort has
produced," stated Vancouver, Washington Police Chief, Clifford Cook. "The
threat such organizations pose to public safety at the local, state, and
national level cannot be ignored and require a concerted effort by law
enforcement at every level of government. Operation Black Rain is an
outstanding example of interagency cooperation and our ongoing efforts to
eliminate organized criminal activity from our communities."

Assisting agencies include the Oregon State Patrol, Springfield Oregon Police
Department, Milwaukie Oregon Police and the Vancouver Washington Police
Departments.

The public is reminded that all persons arrested are only alleged to have
committed a crime. A defendant is presumed innocent of the charges and it is
the government's burden to prove a defendant's guilt beyond a reasonable doubt
in a court of law.

More information on ATF and its programs can be found at www.atf.gov.

Contact: SA Nick Starcevic, ATF
(206) 389-5904 Oct. 21, 2008

SOURCE Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives

SA Nick Starcevic, ATF, +1-206-389-5904