North County crackdown targets illegal gang activity

Federal, state and local law-enforcement agencies made 49 arrests, confiscated $2,500, four guns and about $1,000 worth of drugs Saturday night in North County in what was called Operation Tidal Wave.

More than 250 law-enforcement personnel participated.

The operation targeted illegal gang activity that supported drug smuggling, human trafficking and other cross-border crimes.

The operation was developed in response to Mexican drug cartels enlisting the assistance of gangs in the United States to further criminal operations, according to the San Diego County Sheriff’s Department, which participated in the operation.

While the focus of the operation was gang-related crime, officers also arrested people for possession of illegal drugs, driving under the influence, traffic violations, and parole-probation violations.

The operation included coastal areas from Del Mar to San Onofre, and inland areas near state Routes 78 and 76.

Participating police departments included Oceanside, Carlsbad, San Diego, Escondido and Harbor Police. Federal agencies that took part included Customs and Border Protection, the U.S. Border Patrol, and Immigrations and Customs Enforcement.

Funding for the operation came from a $19.2 million grant from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

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