ICE, DEA conduct drug raid in SF’s Sunset district

Pedestrians gather along the sidewalk as Homeland Security Investigation agents investigate a residence on 19th Avenue between Irving Street and Judah Street in San Francisco, Calif. Wednesday, March 1, 2017. Pedestrians gather along the sidewalk as Homeland Security Investigation agents investigate a residence on 19th Avenue between Irving Street and Judah Street in San Francisco, Calif. Wednesday, March 1, 2017. Photo: Mason Trinca, Special To The Chronicle Photo: Mason Trinca, Special To The Chronicle Image 1 of / 5 Caption Close ICE, DEA conduct drug raid in SF’s Sunset district 1 / 5 Back to Gallery

Special agents with the Department of Homeland Security and the Drug Enforcement Administration conducted a narcotics raid in San Francisco’s Outer Sunset neighborhood Wednesday afternoon.

Investigators with Homeland Security Investigations, a branch of the department under the jurisdiction of U.S. Immigrations and Customs Enforcement, led the investigation, said James Schwab, a spokesman for ICE.

It was conducted around 3 p.m. in the 1300 block of 19th Avenue, as agents cordoned off the area and sifted through evidence from a house.

No one was immediately arrested or detained, said Schwab and a spokeswoman for the DEA.

Though Schwab said the operation was not related to immigration, the appearance of federal agents in the sanctuary city of San Francisco sent at least four “observers” with several groups dedicated to aiding the undocumented scurrying to the scene.

One of the observers, San Francisco resident Rob Chua, said he saw at least one person detained in handcuffs by the agents. He also said a number of firetrucks brought a hazardous materials team wearing jumpsuits to the house.

A spokesman for the San Francisco Fire Department did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Michael Bodley is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: mbodley@sfchronicle.com. Twitter: @michael_bodley