Feds arrest nearly 300 in LA-area gang crackdown

The Associated Press
9:54 a.m. October 15, 2009

LOS ANGELES — Authorities have arrested nearly 300 people in the Los Angeles area during a six-month national crackdown against gangs.

The arrests by federal, state and local law enforcement were among nearly 1,800 made around the country as part of Operation Community Shield.

Immigration and Customs Enforcement spokeswoman Virginia Kice said Thursday that 293 gang members or associates were arrested in the Los Angeles area during the operation that ended Sept. 30.

ICE says street gangs were targeted because they have been involved in cross-border smuggling of people and weapons, drug trafficking, identity theft, money laundering and other crimes

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