SACRAMENTO – California Attorney General Xavier Becerra today announced the arrest of 86 individuals; seizure of 43 firearms, 4875 rounds of ammunition, 112 pounds of methamphetamine, 22 pounds of cocaine, 4.7 pounds of heroin, 402 pounds of marijuana, $29,600 in U.S. currency, and 4 stolen vehicles, as part of a takedown of individuals connected to street gang criminal activity in the City of San Bernardino and in surrounding San Bernardino County communities. Out of the 86 arrests, 48 individuals were validated gang members belonging to the Sureño gang – one of the most violent gangs in San Bernardino County.

The arrests come after a four-month investigation conducted by the California Department of Justice's Bureau of Investigation, Special Operations Unit (SOU), Southern California Team and the San Bernardino County Gang Intelligence Team. The case was supported by the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) Safe Streets Gang Task Force, the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the Fontana Police Department.

“I refuse to allow gang violence to terrorize our communities,” said Attorney General Becerra. “The San Bernardino community is safer today thanks to the hard work and coordination among law enforcement agencies. These arrests send a strong message to the individuals who believe they are above the law: you will be held accountable.”

Numerous gang-related shootings and violent acts have been caused by the Sureño criminal street gang and the Mexican Mafia. The arrests of these individuals is attributed to various crimes including those associated with conspiracy to commit robbery and/or kidnapping, and for conspiracies related to firearms and narcotic violations.

“These gangs recruit kids from our neighborhoods, schools and our communities. They sell drugs, illegal weapons and commit murders to further their criminal organization and instill fear in the community,” said San Bernardino County Sheriff John McMahon. “I value our partnerships with our local, state and federal agencies to rid our society of these criminals.”

In 2014, the Office of the Attorney General, California Department of Justice, and the California Highway Patrol worked with the Legislature and Governor Brown's administration to secure $9.4 million for California DOJ Bureau of Investigation's SOU teams. These unique and essential teams use the latest technology and advanced investigative techniques and work alongside local law enforcement to enhance investigations into violent criminals and organized crime throughout the state.

California Attorney General Xavier Becerra /  Friday, June 30, 2017