O.C. Sweep Nets 23 Suspected Members of Racist Street Gang

Dozens of law-enforcement officials fanned out across Orange County on Thursday to arrest 23 suspected members of a white racist street gang that includes nonwhites and is allegedly involved in identity theft, drug sales and other crimes.

More than half of those arrested were women, including a Vietnamese woman and a Latina. Authorities did not list the charges, but Sheriff Michael S. Carona said most suspects were picked up for parole and probation violations.

About 185 officers from various departments were involved in the arrests, which also netted 12 weapons. Carona said the gang was responsible “for moving meth throughout the Southland,” but investigators recovered only small amounts of heroin and methamphetamine.

He said the suspects, members of Public Enemy Number One, which the Anti-Defamation League calls the county’s largest white racist gang, all had criminal records but no convictions for violent crimes.

Gang enforcement deputies said members are better known for using stolen identities to obtain credit cards and mortgage loans.

Carona said the investigation was “several years” old but declined to elaborate. He said at least 17 more gang suspects were under investigation. Some of those arrested were alleged to be gang leaders, but Carona declined to identify them.