Updated

Federal authorities in New Jersey say they've arrested the reputed leader of one of the state's most violent street gangs, the Grape Street Crips.

The U.S. attorney's office announced Thursday the arrests of 39-year-old Corey Hamlet, of Belleville, and three other men on charges including racketeering, extortion, robbery and drug trafficking.

Authorities say they've linked Hamlet to several murders and attempted murders as part of a racketeering conspiracy.

The suspects are due for an initial court appearance Thursday afternoon in Newark.

The U.S. attorney's office alleges Hamlet ordered the killings of people believed to have cooperated with law enforcement or been disloyal to the gang.

It wasn't immediately known if Hamlet had a lawyer who could comment on the charges.