Gilroy, Calif. - More than 100 people were arrested in a massive gang sweep across the central coast. Authorities are calling it "OPERATION GARLIC PRESS."
Authorities say the majority of the 103 arrested were known gang members--51 of them are members of the Norteños gang and two of them are members of the Sureños gang.
"This is an operation that targeted individuals who threatened the safety of this community and the region," said Kamala Harris, the California attorney general.
Law enforcement from thirty-nine different agencies from local, state and federal levels-- including the Department Of Justice and Alcohol Tobacco Firearms--went undercover for the operation. In the last three days, law enforcement apprehended more than 40 firearms, more than 80 stolen cars, and drugs including cocaine, heroine, and marijuana in five different counties.
"As was mentioned, nearly 100 state arrest warrants for insurance fraud, for breaking into cars and stealing cars. We also charged a number of gang enhancements on a number of individuals," said Jeffrey Rosen, the Santa Clara County district attorney.
While the investigation started in May of 2010 in Gilroy after the city saw an uptick in crime, it didn't end there. Police realized gang members were coming into Gilroy, but didn't live there.
"Although we are organized in law enforcement around geographic areas, criminals don't obey those boundaries," said Rosen.
Authorities said the suspects lived in 13 cities and five counties including Alameda, Santa Clara, San Benito, Monterey and Santa Cruz.
"Due to the collective efforts of 13 cities, these cities will directly benefit from taking these 103 and 115 criminals off the streets. We will see a huge reduction in crime, that's my prediction," said Denise Turner of the Gilroy Police Department.
