Friday January 12, 2014, the European Union added to its sanctions list 4 Haitian gang leaders, included on the UN list by the Sanctions Committee on December 8, 2023:

Johnson André alias alias “Izo” Leader of the “5 Segond” Gang

Renel Destina aka “Ti Lapli” Leader of the “Grand Ravine” Gang

Vitelhomme Innocent aka “Vitelom” Leader of the “Kraze Barye” gang

Wilson Joseph alias “Lanmo San Jou” Leader of “400 Mawozo”

For each of these individuals, the UN Sanctions Committee provided a summary of the reasons for listing. We invite you every day to discover each of these gang leaders and the reasons for their registration.

Johnson André alias "Izo" :

Function : leader of the “5 Segond” organized gang

Date of birth : 1997

Place of birth : Port-au-Prince, Haiti

Nationality :Haitian

Date of designation by the United Nations : December 8, 2023

Gender : male

Date of UN designation : 8 December 2023

Additional information from the narrative summary of reasons for listing provided by the Sanctions Committee :

Johnson Andre (aka "Izo") is the main leader of the 5 Segond gang and has played an increasingly influential role within G-Pep alliance (see UN document S/2023/674, para 54). Under Andre’s leadership, 5 Segond has been involved in various criminal activities that threaten the peace, security, and stability of Haiti, including, rape, burglary, despoliation, kidnapping, drug trafficking, trafficking of weapons, and obstructing the delivery of humanitarian assistance (see UN document S/2023/674, Annex 4). Andre is also wanted by the Haitian National Police (HNP) for crimes including murder, kidnapping for ransom, illegal possession of firearms, vehicle theft, and hijacking of goods (see UN document S/2023/674, Annex 11).

With expansionist ambitions and substantial resources acquired through illicit activities, Andre has extended 5 Segond’s influence over the past three years, spreading violence in other areas of Port-au-Prince (see UN document S/2023/674, para 54). Moreover, the gang has carried out attacks against public institutions, including the Court of First Instance, which was ransacked in 2022 and currently remains under the control of the 5 Segond (see UN document S/2023/674, para 29).

Andre has used the maritime route to provide support to his gang’s northern cells, as well as to the Canaan gang, and strategically operates from there, conducting kidnappings in the Delmas, Bon Repos and Lilavois areas, hijacking trucks and stealing goods. Between April 18 and June 23, 2023, four attacks resulting in the kidnapping of over 30 individuals were attributed to the 5 Segond gang (see UN document S/2023/674, para 64).

The gang’s activities have also severely disrupted the free movement of persons and vehicles along National Roads (NR) 1 and 2, as well as at sea, through acts of piracy. In October 2022, members of 5 Segond intensified the hijacking of freight trucks transporting containers of high value merchandise along NR1. Along NR2 in Martissant, 5 Segond carried out extortion operations (see UN document S/2023/674, para 79). This has restricted access to strategic points, stifled the local economy, and disrupted access to food and other critical goods, including humanitarian aid.

In November 2022, the 5 Segond gang took 38 hostages including 36 passengers and 2 drivers, who were in 2 minibuses at the station preparing to go to Miragoâne. In a video, Andre asserted that this kidnapping was in response to the death of one of his men.

The "5 Segond" gang has exploited the fragile security environment to generate additional revenue through drug trafficking. Some sources indicated that drugs were shipped directly from South America to the Village de Dieu area, sometimes along with firearms. From Village-de-Dieu, Izo has the support of other gangs, such as Canaan, Gran Grif and Kokorat San Ras, to move drugs up to Port-de-Paix and out of the country (see UN document S/2023/674, para 121).

The Panel of Experts also identified rapes committed by the 5 Segond gang (see UN document S/2023/674, para 136).

HL/ HaitiLibre