WASHINGTON, March 10 (UPI) -- U.S. immigration agents have arrested 375 reputed gang members in 23 states, Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff announced Friday.
The series of raids that began Feb. 24 are part of Operation Community Shield, an operation targeting cross-border criminal organizations. In the past year, the Immigration and Customs Enforcement Agency has arrested 2,338 alleged members of 239 gangs.
In the most recent effort, 44 arrests were made in Dallas, 41 in San Diego, 22 each in Washington and Miami and 19 in Raleigh, N.C. There were also arrests in Sioux Falls, S.D., Springfield, Mo., and Des Moines, Iowa.
The gangs involved include MS-13 -- a violent organization with roots in both the United States and El Salvador -- Surenos, 18th Street Gang, Latin Kings, Bloods, Crips, Armenian Power, Street Thug Criminals, Brown Pride, Asian Dragon Family, Avenue Assassins, Spanish Gangster Disciples, Big Time Killers and Hermanos Pistoleros Latinos.
