Thirty-six people in New Jersey have been charged in a major drug-trafficking bust called "Operation Snow Bank," netting members of the MS-13 gang, that has been targeted by President Trump, according to the state police.

The targets were three rival drug trafficking organizations, including five alleged MS-13 gang members. Police seized more than 1.5 kilograms of cocaine, more than two ounces of heroin, marijuana and more than $35,000 cash, according to a state police release. MS-13 is an international crime gang that has been around for 30 years but has raised fears recently because of its growing presence in suburbs. Members are characterized by tattoos covering the body and also often the face. Trump has called for adding 10,000 new ICE officers to stop them.

The eight-month cooperative investigation in New Jersey began in December of 2016 and targeted cocaine trafficking organizations operating largely in Plainfield. Detectives allege that the three rival drug trafficking networks were headed by Andres Hernandez-Diaz, 46; Julian Mirambeaux-Olivarez, 46; and Manuel Castillo-Concepcion, 37, all of Plainfield, the release said.

Hernandez-Diaz allegedly coordinated cocaine distribution from the Bronx. Members of the trafficking network would use an apartment in New York City to prepare and package cocaine specifically for distribution, which at one time resulted in more than 2,000 grams distributed in one month, the release said. On July 11, the New Jersey State Police Trafficking Central Unit and U.S. HSI members received information that David Zapata-Gaitan, 34, of Plainfield, an alleged member of MS-13 and member of the Hernandez-Diaz network, would be trafficking cocaine from Plainfield to Stafford County, Virginia, the release said.

With assistance from HSI and the Stafford County Sheriff's Office, Zapata-Gaitan, along with Luis Camino, 35, of Elizabeth, and Maribel Zamudio, 27, of North Plainfield, were arrested, and half of a kilogram of cocaine was seized, the release said. Mirambeaux-Olivarez allegedly operated his network using "runners" for distribution. During the investigation, detectives seized more than 900 grams of cocaine from the Mirambeaux-Olivarez network as well as more than 50 grams of raw heroin and fictitious documents such as driver's licenses and social security cards, the release said. Detectives allege that Castillo-Concepcion operated his network day and night largely out of a residence on Arlington Avenue in Plainfield, which distributed more 2,200 grams of cocaine in a one-month stretch. On Friday, July 21, Monday, July 24, and Thursday, July 27, police executed search warrants at various locations. As a result, detectives arrested 36 people and seized drugs and cash.