47 arrested in California crackdown on violent street gangs

FRESNO, Calif. — California authorities Friday introduced the arrest of 47 suspected gang members accused of drive-by shootings, homicide, assaults and funding their illicit actions within the Central Valley via prostitution rings and the sale of weapons and narcotics.

A five-month investigation into violent felony road gangs in Fresno County culminated Thursday with a “large takedown” by 200 regulation enforcement personnel, helicopters, fixed-wing plane and 25 SWAT groups, mentioned Fresno Police Chief Paco Balderrama.

The arrests embody 17 associated to human trafficking and pimping, the California Division of Justice mentioned in an announcement. Dozens of firearms have been seized.

The gang members focused within the operation have been linked to a half dozen murders, dozen of shootings and felony acts and confirmed “no regard for human life,” Balderrama mentioned at a information convention alongside California Lawyer Common Rob Bonta.

He mentioned a number of shootings have been prevented due to the investigation, together with two deliberate “mass shootings” on April 2 and April 11 at a Fresno bar, when police flooded the world.

“We all know they known as it off as a result of we have been there,” Balderrama mentioned. He didn’t present different particulars.

Fresno County District Lawyer Lisa Smittcamp advised reporters that the gang members, who have been each female and male, purchased weapons, costly vehicles and jewellery with cash made by forcing ladies into intercourse trafficking, then used the cash to put up bond for different gang members to get out of jail.

“Fresno goes to maintain preventing this insanity and right now is a shining instance of our resolve. In the present day is a day for the great guys to have fun,” she mentioned.

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