Honduras is cracking down on gang-related crimes, and as recently as Tuesday evening passed Article 222 of the Penal Code, which establishes a penalty of up to 20 years in prison for the crime of extortion.

In the raids this morning, 26 alleged gang members and extortionists were arrested, including four youths and two women. Along with the alleged offenders, the police seized a rifle, two 9mm pistols, and other crime-related articles, including two cell phones with chargers.

The new addition to the Penal Code increased the time one would serve for extortion from nine years to twenty. Blackmail will be punished with prison terms of up to twelve years instead of three to nine years, and
in addition to stiffer prison terms, the fines for such crimes will increase to approximately $15,000.