Five people accused of participating in an alleged Asian organized crime ring set up in Chinatown will be in federal court in South Boston this afternoon.
They were charged as part of a federal indictment that netted 26 people from Massachusetts, Rhode Island and Florida for organized crime conspiracy.
Minh Cam Luong, 46, Hin Pau, 45, and Vapeng Joe, 44, all of Quincy and Song Zeng Cao, 28, of Malden, 23, of Somerville were indicted June 30 for operating an illegal gambling business since January 2010. The business was based in an illegal gambling den on Beach Street in Chinatown since November 2010.
The crime group was involved in drug trafficking, illegal gambling, extortion, prostitution and other criminal activity in, Chinatown and elsewhere, prosecutors said.
Authorities seized $340,000, 13 guns and 12,000 pills of what they believe to be Oxycodone.
The people were scheduled to appear in court at noon for a detention hearing.
