Gang crackdown leads to 89 area arrests

DETROIT (AP) — A national crackdown has led to the arrests of 89 people in the Detroit area with ties to the Latin Counts, Folk Nation, Surenos and Atherton Terrace gangs.

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement says federal agents and local police arrested 976 gang members and their associates in 282 cities over the six-week operation.

The agency says 19 people arrested were named in murder warrants and 15 had been sought for sexual assault.

More than 80 firearms, methamphetamine, marijuana, cocaine, heroin and nearly $380,000 in cash were seized. Authorities also confiscated counterfeit merchandise.

Most of those arrested nationally were affiliated with the Surenos, Nortenos, Bloods, Crips, Puerto Rican-based gangs and several prison-based gangs.

Project Wildfire started Feb. 23 and was led by the Homeland Security Investigations National Gang Unit.