More than 600 arrested in lengthy SA anti-gang operation

Press conference presentation photos of the joint anti-gang operation between the SAPD Gang Unit and the US Marshall Service to reduce gang violence in San Antonio. Press conference presentation photos of the joint anti-gang operation between the SAPD Gang Unit and the US Marshall Service to reduce gang violence in San Antonio. Photo: Mark D. Wilson Photo: Mark D. Wilson Image 1 of / 23 Caption Close More than 600 arrested in lengthy SA anti-gang operation 1 / 23 Back to Gallery

SAN ANTONIO — More than 200 confirmed San Antonio gang members were taken off the streets during a months-long operation by the San Antonio Police Department and the U.S. Marshals Service that recently came to a close.

Operation Dragnet, aimed at reducing and disrupting gang activity in the city, took place from June 1 through Sept 30 of this year.

San Antonio Police Department Chief William McManus said the collaborative effort netted a total of 602 arrests throughout San Antonio and surrounding areas.

Of the 602 arrested, 232 were confirmed gang members.

“That’s a lot of people,” McManus said at a press conference Thursday, adding both street and prison gangs were represented in the arrests.

See photos of the contraband and tattoos associated with the gangs in the gallery above.

Prison gang member arrests included 92 members of Tango Orejon, 32 members of Mexikanemi, four members of Hermanos de Pistoleros, three members of Texas Syndicate, three members of the Aryan Brotherhood and three Sureños.

Street gang arrests included 46 Bloods, 26 Crips, 10 Latin Kings and three Bandidos.

McManus said many of the individuals taken into custody during the operation are careers criminals who will engage in violence if they need to.

Their ages range from late teens into the 50s. In addition to the gang members, a vast amount of narcotics, cash and guns were seized throughout the course of the operation, McManus said.

A total of 64 guns were also seized, ranging from handguns to automatic rifles.

“Those are 64 guns removed from the streets that will not be involved in shootings in San Antonio,” said U.S. Marshal Robert Almonte, adding the operation had a strong disruptive effect on numerous criminal groups in San Antonio.

Authorities also confiscated 5,561 grams of marijuana, 1,660 grams of cocaine, 1,246 grams of methamphetamines and 981 grams of heroin.

mdwilson@express-news.net

Twitter: @MDWilsonSA