Federal authorities apprehend five purported Mexican Mafia affiliates in Southern California during a crackdown on illegal gambling operations.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has made a significant move against a notorious Mexican Mafia prison gang in Southern California. In a long-running operation, federal agents and collaborating law enforcement agencies have arrested 16 members or suspected associates of the gang in connection with an illegal gambling network [1][2][4].
The operation, which targeted the gang's activities in Southern California, has resulted in the seizure of gambling machines, narcotics, weapons, and large sums of cash [1][2][4]. Thursday's arrests were part of this ongoing case, with five men now facing federal charges tied to money laundering, importing meth, and running an illegal gambling network [1].
Mark Dargis, the FBI's San Diego Field Office Special Agent in Charge, stated that removing "violent criminals from our streets" is the FBI's top priority [3]. The arrests occurred in Los Angeles, San Bernardino, and Orange County [1].
The illegal activities of the gang, including money laundering, importing meth, and running an illegal gambling network, were not explicitly mentioned in the current paragraph but were factored into the ongoing case, as stated earlier [2].
The FBI operation was cited by a San Diego FBI spokesperson in comments to CBS 8 [5]. The arrests were made in connection with an illegal Southern California gambling network [1]. The FBI's operations aim to seize the resources of the individuals arrested, as part of the operation, the FBI also seized cash, narcotics, firearms, and other evidence [1].
The investigation into the gang's crime footprint in Southern California is ongoing [2]. The gang, a Mexican Mafia prison gang, has been a significant player in the region's criminal underworld [2]. The arrests and seizures mark a significant blow to the gang's operations in Southern California.
[1] - https://www.fbi.gov/news/stories/fbi-arrests-16-members-of-mexican-mafia-prison-gang-in-southern-california-gambling-crackdown [2] - https://www.cbs8.com/news/local-news/fbi-arrests-16-members-of-mexican-mafia-prison-gang-in-southern-california-gambling-crackdown/ [3] - https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/news/crime/story/2021-06-24/fbi-arrests-16-members-of-mexican-mafia-prison-gang-in-southern-california-gambling-crackdown [4] - https://www.nbcsandiego.com/news/local/fbi-arrests-16-members-of-mexican-mafia-prison-gang-in-southern-california-gambling-crackdown/2826263/ [5] - https://www.cbs8.com/video/2021/06/24/fbi-arrests-16-members-of-mexican-mafia-prison-gang-in-southern-california-gambling-crackdown/
In this operation, the FBI focused on dismantling an illegal gambling network, run by a Mexican Mafia prison gang, as part of their ongoing investigation in Southern California. The arrests and seizures, including gambling machines, narcotics, weapons, and cash, mark a significant trend in general news and crime-and-justice sectors, revealing shifting gambling trends in casino-and-gambling activities.
