{"id":10869,"date":"2015-04-08T11:11:57","date_gmt":"2015-04-08T18:11:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/cjnotebook.com\/?p=10869"},"modified":"2015-04-08T11:11:57","modified_gmt":"2015-04-08T18:11:57","slug":"ice-arrests-nearly-1000-gang-members-and-associates-from-239-different-gangs","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/cjnotebook.com\/?p=10869","title":{"rendered":"ICE Arrests Nearly 1,000 gang members and Associates from 239 Different Gangs"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"ICE<\/a>WASHINGTON<\/strong> \u2014 Nearly 1,000 gang members and associates from 239 different gangs were arrested in 282 cities across the U.S. during Project Wildfire,<\/strong> a six-week operation led by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement\u2019s \u00a0Homeland Security Investigations.<\/strong><\/p>\n

The operation targeted transnational criminal gangs.<\/p>\n

Enforcement actions occurred around the country, with the greatest activity taking place in the San Juan, Dallas, El Paso, Los Angeles and Detroit HSI areas.<\/p>\n

The gangs that had members arrested include\u00a0Bloods, Crips Rollin 60s, Mexican Mafia, Sure\u00f1os,Raza Unida, Aryan Brotherhood, White Aryan Resistance, West Side, Gangster Disciples, Peckerwoods, Texas Syndicate and West Texas Tango.<\/p>\n

\u201cCriminal gangs inflict violence and fear upon our communities, and without the attention of law enforcement, these groups can spread like a cancer,\u201d said ICE Director Sarah R. Salda\u00f1a<\/strong>. \u201cThat\u2019s why ICE works with law enforcement partners around the country to stamp out gang activity wherever it takes place.\u201d<\/p>\n

Project Wildfire was a surge operation led by the HSI National Gang Unit and ran Feb. 23 to March 31.<\/p>\n

Homeland Security special agents worked with 215 state, local and federal law enforcement partners, including ICE\u2019s Enforcement and Removal Operations to arrest gang members and gang associates.<\/p>\n

This operation was part of Homeland Security’ s Operation Community Shield, a global initiative, where Homeland Security collaborates with federal, state and local law enforcement partners to combat the growth of criminal street gangs, prison gangs and outlaw motorcycle gangs.<\/p>\n

Most of the individuals arrested during Project Wildfire were U.S. citizens but 199 foreign nationals were also arrested, from 18 countries in South and Central America, Asia, Africa, Europe and the Caribbean.<\/p>\n

Of the individuals arrested, 976 were gang members and associates.<\/p>\n

Homeland Security special agents also seized 82 firearms, 5.2 kilograms of methamphetamine, 7.8 kilograms of marijuana, 5.6 kilograms of cocaine, 1.5 kilograms of heroin, $379,399 in U.S currency, counterfeit merchandise with a manufactures suggested retail price of $547,534 and five vehicles during Project Wildfire.<\/p>\n

Homeland Security agents also arrested \u2013 or assisted in the arrest \u2013 of 231 other individuals on federal and\/or state criminal violations and administrative immigration violations, for a total of 1,207 arrests. Of the total 1,207 arrested, 1,057 were males and 150 were females.<\/p>\n

Of the 976 gang members or associates arrested: 913 were charged with criminal offenses and 63 were arrested administratively for immigration violations; 650 had violent criminal histories, including 19 individuals wanted on active warrants for murder and 15 for rape or sexual assault; and 199 were foreign nationals, of which 151 were gang members and gang associates, officials stated.<\/p>\n

The majority of arrestees were affiliated with the Sure\u00f1os, Norte\u00f1os, Bloods, Crips, Puerto Rican-based gangs and several prison-based gangs.<\/p>\n

Enforcement actions conducted during Project Wildfire include the following gangs and cites:<\/strong><\/p>\n