A six-month multiagency effort has resulted in 39 arrests and dozens of charges against street gang members allegedly operating in San Diego County at the behest of incarcerated gang members with ties to Mexico’s cartels, the San Diego County district attorney said Jan. 21.
The arrests were made last Thursday, and many suspects are accused of being involved in a variety of crimes, including murders, attempted murders, robberies, arson, extortion, drug and weapons trafficking, and violent assaults.
Prosecutors allege these defendants acted on the orders of the largest prison gang, the Mexican Mafia, also known as La Eme.
“These criminals took orders from cartel bosses operating in state prison and preyed on business owners by forcing mafia-style taxes,” San Diego County District Attorney Summer Stephan said at a press conference.