Federal authorities arrested 528 alleged gang members over a two-week period, officials said Monday, targeting more than 54 violent groups they say have spawned street crimes across the country.
Investigators picked up most of the offenders between July 16 and July 28 on immigration violations for being in the United States illegally. Seventy-six face criminal charges, ranging from illegal possession of a firearm to holding fraudulent documents.
The crackdown is part of a campaign targeting gang activity with other federal and state authorities. So far they made 1,057 arrests as part of the sting.
In March, the operation netted 103 members of MS-13, a street gang rooted in Central America where members have been known to behead enemies and attack with grenades and machetes. Federal officials estimate between 8,000 and 10,000 MS-13 members live in 31 states the majority of them in the country illegally.
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