LOS ANGELES, Calif. -- Los Angeles police and federal agents arrested dozens of suspected gang members in a massive sweep in the Harbor area of Los Angeles.
An estimated 1,300 officers fanned out across the area in the predawn hours searching for members of the "Rancho San Pedro" gang culminating a two and a half year investigation, according to officials.
The raid included officers from the LAPD, ATF, Drug Enforcement Administration, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, the Internal Revenue Service, U.S. Secret Service, Department of Housing and Urban Development and the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation.
The "Rancho San Pedro" gang has used the neighborhood as a headquarters for illegal activities in the area, officials said. The gang's origins date back to the 1970s. Its membership includes 600 documented members, as well as more than 400 associates.
Authorities arrested 66 people for state weapons and drug violations. 14 others were taken into custody on federal indictments.
"I am committed to working closely with our federal partners to fight a gang that has had a stranglehold on one of our L.A communities for far too long," said LAPD Chief Charlie Beck.
"Gangs continue to be a dangerous scourge to our community and residents," said Los Angeles City Attorney Carmen A. Trutanich.
"The joint task force efforts by the prosecutors in the City Attorney's office along with our law enforcement partners at the state, local and federal level will help put a stop to their crimes and threats to the law- abiding residents of this city and will restore a greater quality of life in our neighborhoods," Trutanich said.
McClatchy-Tribune News Service
