Authorities arrested more than 100 suspected gang members and associates throughout San Diego County on Wednesday morning as part of a wide-ranging investigation into alleged racketeering, firearms trafficking and drug distribution coordinated by the Mexican Mafia.
Among those charged are two suspects believed to be high-ranking members of the Mexican Mafia, who are accused of overseeing the criminal activity, and 117 suspected members and associates of street gangs, who allegedly paid "taxes" to the prison-based organized crime group.
The charges were detailed in 17 indictments and eight criminal complaints filed by the U.S. attorney's office in San Diego. In early morning raids at homes throughout the county, federal and local officials arrested 104 of the defendants, including the suspected Mexican Mafia members. Fifteen suspects remain at large.
The arrests mark "one of the largest single takedowns in San Diego FBI history," said Keith Slotter, the FBI's special agent in charge in San Diego.
The Mexican Mafia has ties with thousands of gang members in Southern California, authorities said. The suspected members charged in Wednesday's case, Rudy Espudo and Salvador Colabella, allegedly demanded regular extortion payments from gang members who sold drugs in areas controlled by the criminal organization.
Street gangs from San Marcos in northern San Diego County to Chula Vista near the border were targeted in the investigation.
richard.marosi@latimes.com
Among those charged are two suspects believed to be high-ranking members of the Mexican Mafia, who are accused of overseeing the criminal activity, and 117 suspected members and associates of street gangs, who allegedly paid "taxes" to the prison-based organized crime group.
The arrests mark "one of the largest single takedowns in San Diego FBI history," said Keith Slotter, the FBI's special agent in charge in San Diego.
The Mexican Mafia has ties with thousands of gang members in Southern California, authorities said. The suspected members charged in Wednesday's case, Rudy Espudo and Salvador Colabella, allegedly demanded regular extortion payments from gang members who sold drugs in areas controlled by the criminal organization.
Street gangs from San Marcos in northern San Diego County to Chula Vista near the border were targeted in the investigation.
richard.marosi@latimes.com
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