UPDATE: 'War ready' Trenton drug gang could be linked to Art All Night festival shooting, feds say

In a series of early morning arrests, teams of FBI agents swept through the streets of the state's capital Thursday, taking into custody about a dozen alleged gang members on charges of drug trafficking, weapons and conspiracy.

Ten others already in custody were charged as well.

It was the largest gang take-down since May 2015, when the feds targeted the Grape Street Crips in Newark and arrested more than 70 on charges ranging from drug-trafficking to multiple murders, assault and witness intimidation.

A press conference about the crackdown has been scheduled by U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito for 11 a.m. in Trenton.

In a criminal complaint unsealed with the arrests, federal prosecutors charged 26 people who allegedly controlled a vast drug market for heroin, cocaine, crack, oxycodone, Vicodin, Xanax, and other narcotics, which were being distributed or sold around Trenton and elsewhere.

Those charged, who had street names like Righteous, Stacks, B-Money, Vicey and Buddha, also allegedly had an large arsenal of weapons to protect their turf, prosecutors said.

According to an FBI affidavit that followed a year-long investigation, which included drug-buys, wiretaps, confidential informants and video surveillance, the group was responsible for "a dramatic increase in gun-related violence" in and around the areas in which the drug-traffickers operated.

Much of that violence, said the FBI, was connected with ongoing disputes between members of the drug-sales network and another rival Trenton gang.

Authorities said they recovered at least five firearms, including a semi-automatic assault rifle.

During the investigation, one individual who was behind bars at Bayside State Prison was caught on surveillance recordings talking about suppliers and his plans to rejoin the group upon his release.

Gang violence has become an increasing focus of law enforcement in New Jersey. In June, a gang-related shooting at a popular Trenton all-night arts festival killed one man and injuring 22.

The State Commission of Investigation, in a hearing earlier in September, noted many of the state's cities as confronting a resurgence of street violence.

"It is a drug-fueled world where the slightest personal affront, even a perceived insult, can trigger mayhem," said SCI Executive Director Lee Seglem. "Where teens and pre-teens almost routinely settle adolescent tussles with deadly weapons. Where social media serve as electronic billboards for distinctly anti-social activity - used to pick fights, display weaponry, recruit new members and threaten the police. And where adults exploit children to do their criminal bidding," he said.

Ted Sherman may be reached at tsherman@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @TedShermanSL. Facebook: @TedSherman.reporter. Find NJ.com on Facebook.