89 Detroit-Area Arrests In National Crackdown On Gangs

DETROIT (WWJ/AP) - A national crackdown has led to the arrests of 89 people in the Detroit area with alleged ties to the Latin Counts, Folk Nation, Surenos and Atherton Terrace gangs.

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) says federal agents and local police arrested 976 gang members from 239 gangs and their associates in 282 cities over the six-week operation dubbed "Project Wildfire."

In the Detroit area, the agency said, 19 people arrested were named in murder warrants and 15 had been sought for sexual assault.

More than 80 firearms, methamphetamine, marijuana, cocaine, heroin and nearly $380,000 in cash were seized. Authorities also confiscated counterfeit merchandise valued at nearly $547,534, along with five vehicles.

"Criminal gangs inflict violence and fear upon our communities, and without the attention of law enforcement, these groups can spread like a cancer," said ICE Director Sarah R. Saldaña, in media release. "That's why ICE works with law enforcement partners around the country to stamp out gang activity wherever it takes place."

Most of those arrested nationally were affiliated with the Surenos, Nortenos, Bloods, Crips, Puerto Rican-based gangs and several prison-based gangs.  According to ICE, a majority of those arrested 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.

Project Wildfire started Feb. 23 and was led by the Homeland Security Investigations National Gang Unit.

The names of those arrested were not immediately released.

To report suspicious activity, call ICE's 24-hour toll-free hotline at: 1-866-DHS-2-ICE or visit www.ice.gov.

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