Feds Arrest 185 In Los Angeles Area In Operation Targeting Transnational Gangs

LOS ANGELES (CBSLA.com) — A five-week federal enforcement action targeting criminal gang members and others associated with transnational criminal activity resulted in more than 1,100 arrests nationwide, including 185 in the greater Los Angeles area, officials said Monday.

The operation, dubbed Project Shadowfire, was led by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement personnel, and was part of ICE's ongoing Operation Community Shield.

"During the course of the operation, which ran from Feb. 15 to March 21, special agents in the Southland and across the country worked closely with other federal, state and local law enforcement agencies to locate known gang members and gang associates, including more than 900 individuals linked to transnational criminal activity, such as drug trafficking, human smuggling, sex trafficking, and racketeering," according to an ICE statement.

Most of the people arrested during Project Shadowfire were U.S. citizens, but 239 foreign nationals from 13 countries in Central America, Asia, Europe and the Caribbean were also arrested.

Of the 1,133 people arrested nationwide, 915 were gang members and associates; 1,001 were charged with criminal offenses; and 132 were arrested administratively for immigration violations.

Enforcement actions occurred around the country, with the much of the operation taking place in the Los Angeles, Atlanta, San Francisco, Houston, and El Paso areas.

As part of Project Shadowfire, special agents also seized 150 firearms, more than 40 pounds of drugs, and more than $70,000 in U.S currency.

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