“ZOE POUND” GANG

“ZOE POUND” GANG

 “ZOE” POUND

This gang’s origins can be traced back to Haiti; with members subsequently migrating to the United States, settling in the “Little Haiti” section of Miami, Florida. Zoe Pound is an extremely secretive gang, integrating “Voo-Doo” into their gang ideology. Uncharacteristic of many other gangs, members do not subscribe to gang tattooing or flagging with colors and are forbidden from acknowledging or admitting gang membership. Members are heavily involved in illegal drug trafficking; “pirating” vessels docked in the port of Miami, violently killing crew members and seizing the illicit drugs for distribution on the streets. Proceeds from the sale of illegal drugs are reportedly laundered into the Rap/Recording industry. In an effort to thwart the systemic escalation in drug trafficking and extreme violence associated with this gang, a multiagency task force was formed; consequentially resulting in the migration of members to states along the eastern coast, including Virginia, New Jersey and New York.

On October 5, 2009, Westchester County Jail received an inmate, Jean Besson, who claimed to be an “associate” of the Zoe Pound criminal street gang. Besson is the first identified Zoe Pound member submitted to the NYSIC Gang Intelligence Unit. Captain Vincent Camera and Sergeant Christopher Smith had the opportunity to conduct a debriefing of Besson while incarcerated at this facility. Besson claimed to be associated with Zoe Pound members in Brooklyn, Nassau and Westchester Counties. According to Besson, members are traveling in multiple cars—convoys— from Brooklyn via the Hutchinson River Parkway enroute to Westchester County, specifically Exit 2 and 9, transporting large quantities of guns. He claims that members “always” travel armed with weapons. Besson explained that Zoe Pound is considered the “primary” gang, but two subsets exist within the gang—Zoe Pound Bloods and Zoe Pound Crips. Captain Camera reported a second Zoe Pound member, Rinel Luzincour, was later identified after his release via confiscated documents/drawings. Both members have admitted ties to Florida.