Border crime sweep nets drugs, 246 arrests

By Debbi Baker, UNION-TRIBUNE
Monday, March 28, 2011 at 10:43 a.m.

SAN DIEGO — A massive multi-agency weekend sweep targeting criminals involved with drugs, gangs and cross-border crimes resulted in 246 arrests and the seizure of about $200,000 in contraband, sheriff’s officials announced Monday.

Operation Allied Shield III, which started Friday about 5 p.m. and ended 2 a.m. Sunday, involved 680 law enforcement officers from several local, state and federal agencies who fanned out in a show of force across central, south and east San Diego County.

Fifty-five drug seizures were made, including cocaine, marijuana, heroin, crystal methamphetamine, ecstasy and pharmaceuticals, said sheriff’s Lt. Margaret Sanfilippo, who heads up the department’s Border Crime Suppression Team, which spearheaded the operation.

Weapons, cars and about $46,000 in cash were also seized.

Eighty documented gang members and 25 gang associates were identified, and 67 of them were arrested.

The aim of the high-profile operation was two-fold, said unit supervisor Sgt. Greg Carpenter, whose team conducted several probation compliance searches Saturday night at homes in Santee.

“The overall goal is to seize drugs and weapons,â€