Contra Costa County, California - The FBI Safe Streets Task Force, a task force made up of multiple law enforcement agencies, arrested several alleged members of the Norteño street gang in Contra Costa County on August 3.

The task force arrested 24 alleged members or affiliates of the deadly Norteño street gang, some of whom are believed to be gang leaders, across Contra Costa County. The searches and arrests were the result of an investigation initiated by the Concord Police Department in response to an increase in gang violence that began in 2015.

The alleged gang members who were arrested have been connected to crimes that include murder, assault, weapons trafficking, drug sales, and prostitution or pimping. In addition to the arrests, the following contraband was seized as a result of the operation:

  • 18 firearms
  • Large quantities of methamphetamine and heroin
  • Two cars
  • One boat
  • $15,000 in illicit funds
  • Two illegal marijuana grows were destroyed

The operation was carried out by the following law enforcement agencies:

  • FBI San Francisco Division
  • Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office
  • Concord Police Department
  • Pittsburg Police Department
  • Antioch Police Department
  • Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Department
  • Richmond Police Department
  • El Cerrito Police Department
  • Contra Costa County Probation Department
  • California Highway Patrol
  • California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation
  • Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives