Thread: CA-Operation aims at SCV gangs

Operation aims at SCV gangs



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If You See Something, Say Something! Report non-emergency crime anonymously by visiting Crime Tips or calling (661) 284-2-TIP or (661) 284-2847. Source: Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff's Station
POSTED May 29, 2009 5:14 p.m.


As part of the ongoing effort to deter and combat gang related crime and activity in the Santa Clarita Valley, several law enforcement personnel from the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff Station's Detective Bureau, the city of Santa Clarita/Sheriff's COBRA Unit and the Community Interaction Team (CIT), joined in partnership with United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officials and representatives from the Los Angeles County Department of Probation, to carry out a targeted gang enforcement operation in the SCV Wednesday, May 27.

The personnel hit the streets and sixteen locations in the Canyon Country, Newhall and Castaic areas where active gang members are known to reside.

Each location was searched resulting in several detentions of known gang members. The extensive and coordinated effort was just another in a series of such operations being carried out by law enforcement officials in the Santa Clarita Valley dating back to last summer.

Deputies and other officials are working hard to keep close tabs on suspected and known gang members in an effort to curb gang activity, violence, graffiti, and crimes associated with gang participation; such as drug sales and weapons possession.

Wednesday's operation resulted in the detention of four juveniles and four adults who are known active foreign national gang members. All the gang members were transported to downtown Los Angeles by ICE officials where they will face immigration proceedings.

All told, the deputies made 13 arrests or detentions during the operation resulting in new charges on three individuals for possession of ammunition, possession of methamphetamine, and possession of forged identification information.

ICE's joint enforcement activities with the Sheriff's Department are part of the agency's ongoing anti-gang initiative known as Operation Community Shield.

Through Operation Community Shield, launched in 2005, ICE is using its powerful immigration and customs authorities in a coordinated, national campaign against criminal street gangs in the United States.

As part of the effort, ICE partners with federal, state and local law enforcement agencies to arrest, prosecute, imprison and/or deport transnational gang members.


http://www.the-signal.com/news/article/13900/

California actions part of ICE's national anti-gang effort - Operation Community Shield

GILROY, Calif. - A total of 17 foreign nationals with ties to violent street gangs in Santa Clara County are facing federal and state criminal charges or deportation this morning following a day-long enforcement operation involving U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), two area police departments and the California Department of Justice Bureau of Narcotics Enforcement.


This story was released on 2009-06-08.


GILROY, Calif. - A total of 17 foreign nationals with ties to violent street gangs in Santa Clara County are facing federal and state criminal charges or deportation this morning following a day-long enforcement operation involving U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement ( ICE ), two area police departments and the California Department of Justice Bureau of Narcotics Enforcement.

Yesterday's arrests were made as part of an ongoing initiative by ICE's National Gang Unit called "Operation Community Shield." As part of the initiative, ICE partners with other federal, state and local law enforcement agencies across the country to target the significant public safety threat posed by transnational street gangs. ICE received substantial assistance with the operation from the Gilroy and Morgan Hill police departments.

"This operation shows our collective resolve to attack and dismantle the street gangs that are threatening our neighborhoods," said Mark Wollman, special agent in charge of the ICE Office of Investigations in San Francisco. "ICE will continue to use its unique immigration and customs authorities to target these organizations and combat the violence and intimidation they use to hold our communities hostage to fear."

Of the 17 gang members taken into custody during the enforcement action, at least five are facing prosecution on state or federal criminal charges, ranging from re-entry after deportation to drug violations. The remaining targets are foreign national gang members who were arrested on administrative immigration violations and placed in removal proceedings. They will be held in ICE custody and scheduled for a deportation hearing before an immigration judge.

Those arrested during the operation include a 25-year-old Mexican male with an outstanding deportation order whose criminal record includes prior convictions for burglary and drug charges. Also taken into custody during the operation was a female associate of an area street gang who was convicted of carrying a loaded gun in a public place.

The gang arrests occurred in four cities in Santa Clara County - Morgan Hill, San Jose, San Martin and Gilroy. The majority of those taken into custody are members of the Varrio Sur Rifa clique of the Sure?o Street Gang. In addition to the arrests, authorities also recovered a .38-caliber snub-nose revolver.

"The Gilroy Police Department was pleased to assist ICE in this effort to combat dangerous criminal street gang members," said Gilroy Police Chief Denise J. Turner. "In order to ensure that gang members do not intimidate and victimize our community members, the Gilroy Police Department will continue our efforts to dismantle criminal street gangs by building partnerships with the community and working cooperatively with outside agencies."

"The success of the operation is another example of what is accomplished through collaborative efforts," said Morgan Hill Police Chief Bruce Cumming. "The arrest of these gang members will have a positive impact on violent crime in our community."

Since Operation Community Shield began in February 2005, ICE agents nationwide have arrested more than 13,000 gang members and associates linked to more than 900 different gangs. More than 150 of those arrested were gang leaders.

The National Gang Unit at ICE identifies violent street gangs and develops intelligence on their membership, associates, criminal activities and international movements to deter, disrupt and dismantle gang operations by tracing and seizing cash, weapons and other assets derived from criminal activities.

Through Operation Community Shield, the federal government uses its powerful immigration and customs authorities in a coordinated, national campaign against criminal street gangs in the United States. Transnational street gangs have significant numbers of foreign-born members and are frequently involved in human and contraband smuggling, immigration violations and other crimes with a connection to the border.

To report suspicious activity, call ICE's 24-hour toll-free hotline at: 1-866-347-2423 or visit www.ice.gov.

Editor's Note: Digital still photos taken by ICE during the anti-gang enforcement operation are available. To receive those photos, contact the ICE Office of Public Affairs at ( 949 ) 360-3096.


-- ICE --

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement ( ICE ) was established in March 2003 as the largest investigative arm of the Department of Homeland Security. ICE is comprised of five integrated divisions that form a 21st century law enforcement agency with broad responsibilities for a number of key homeland security priorities.

http://media-newswire.com/release_1092396.html