15 L.A. Gang Members Held in Minneapolis

Fifteen Los Angeles street gang members, who allegedly sought to take over drug-selling territory in Minneapolis by intimidating rival cocaine dealers, have been arrested there in a series of raids that netted more than three pounds of cocaine and $16,000 in cash.

The youths, reportedly members of a Bloods gang faction, had arrived in Minneapolis about a week ago, according to Minneapolis Police Sgt. Harry Baltzer.

“We’ve had Bloods and Crips here the past six months to a year, and gangs from Chicago too,” Baltzer said. “They are all kind of vying for territory here.

“(These) were the soldiers who tried to take over some of the territory. . . . They’ve been coming here in force.”

Baltzer said the suspects were arrested at a drug house and stash pad in Minneapolis late Thursday. Drug charges are expected to be filed early next week.

The suspects’ names were not immediately released, authorities said, because some were carrying false IDs and others used street monikers only.

“We have a Tweety and a Shorty,” Baltzer said. “But we don’t have their real names yet.”

Lured by higher profits and weaker competition, Los Angeles street gang members have established cocaine-selling operations in more than 40 cities throughout the country in the last two years, according to Los Angeles police.

In Minneapolis, Baltzer said, officials plan to respond by making swift arrests and by filing tough federal anti-drug charges. “We’ve been trying to send a message that whenever they show up here we’re going to attack them with force and not let them get a foothold,” Baltzer said. “They are more visible here--they can’t hide in the woodwork as easily as in Los Angeles.”