40 Arrested In 24 Hours, Attorney Says
U.S. Attorney Announces Gang Arrests
POSTED: 11:33 am CDT October 23, 2007
UPDATED: 8:59 pm CDT October 23, 2007

OMAHA, Neb. -- The U.S. attorney for Nebraska said he is cracking down on a particularly violent street gang.

U.S. Attorney Joe Stecher said his office has helped to arrest a number of members of the so-called Mara Salvatrucha, or "MS 13" gang, which the FBI calls the most violent and dangerous organized criminal gang in the world.

Following an 11-month investigation by the FBI, immigration agents and the Omaha Police Department, 40 arrests have been made since Monday, Stecher said. Fifteen are suspected members of the MS 13 gang and face gun, drug and immigration violation charges.

"MS 13 is loosely interpreted to mean, 'beware of the Salvadoran gang,'" said the FBI's John Kavanaugh. "The bottom line is that this gang is just a notorious, violent gang. There's no doubt in my mind, by the arrests today, we prevented future acts of violence."

The other 25 people arrested face immigration charges.

"We have made approximately 40 arrests, and we are on our way to dismantling MS 13 here in Omaha," said William Wallrapp of Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

Mickel said residents can expect more arrests and raids.

Seven local agencies worked together to make the arrests.

"We target MS 13 because it is one of the most violent Hispanic gangs in the Omaha area," said Omaha Police Chief Thomas Warren.

Warren said the task force conducted MS 13 raids and investigations in south, north and southwest areas of Omaha, and in Sarpy County.

Warren said his officers continue to fight other gangs, but that this operation was important in cracking down on this specific gang.

Juliana Garza of the Chicano Qwareness Center said she deals with many parents in south Omaha, and many list gangs as one of their biggest concerns.

"I think it's all comes to prevention. It's not only the students that are suffering the responsibilities of their actions, but the families, also," Garza said.

She said she's happy that law enforcement is taking action, she wants more work done to prevent Hispanic youths from getting involved in gangs.

"It's kind of hard to try and deal with a situation once the kids are already involved in gangs," she said.

In a south Omaha neighborhood on Tuesday morning, federal drug enforcement agents, Omaha's gang task force and the police department's narcotics unit raided three homes near 33rd and T streets. Agents said they removed drugs, weapons and a computer during the raid.
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