‘We need to address prevention’: more details unfolding in Hamilton gang arrests

More details are unfolding about the Hamilton street gang that has been connected to drug trafficking, robberies, daytime shootings, and homicides.

On Tuesday, police announced the arrests of 24 people, connected to the “Hot Mali Squad.” A combined total of 172 charges were laid.

Officials believe this crew is behind a series of violent acts dating back to 2021, most of which appear to be concentrated in a specific territory.

A daytime drive-by shooting happened at Cannon Street East and Barnesdale Avenue, another at Caroline and King streets.

Two of the shootings linked to this gang happened in Hamilton’s downtown core.

“That entire area they control, in that territory, including drug trafficking, and often they resolve their differences in using firearms, and this higher level of violence,” Ben Thibodeau with the Hamilton police said.

At least 10 of the individuals arrested are people under the age of 25.

Voula Marinos, a criminologist at Brock University, says while the arrests show police are taking gangs and guns seriously, the root of the problem remains unaddressed.

“We need to address prevention…why are young people getting into gangs,” Marinos said. “That means looking at things like poverty, instability in families.”

As for the remainder of the police investigation, one suspect is still at large.

Corey Salter, 39, is wanted on two counts of drug trafficking.

READ MORE: Hamilton police arrest 24 in street gang investigation