Sweep nets 50 gang members
Raids: One search warrant yielded cocaine.
Porterville police arrested 50 purported gang members in a five-day gang detail, police said Monday.
More than 100 field interviews were conducted during the Aug. 1-5 sweep, as Special Investigations Unit detectives also served nine arrest warrants, one narcotics warrant, five parole searches and several probation compliance contacts within the city limits.
The people arrested in the sweep face a number of charges, including sale of cocaine, contributing to the delinquency of minors, resisting arrest and criminal street gang members in possession of weapons.
The contacts and searches focused on identified Norteno and Sureno gang members within the city limits, according to a news release.
Police arrested 60 purported gang members in a similar sweep in June. The ongoing suppression efforts are part of the Police DepartmentÂ’s effort to rid the city of street gangs, Lt. Chris Dempsie said.
