FRESNO COUNTY - On Thursday, May 28th, local, state, and federal law enforcement officers teamed up for a large-scale takedown operation in which 43 search warrants were served at various locations throughout the San Joaquin Valley.
This marked the culmination of a two-month undercover investigation known as “Operation Hands Down.” It focused on Mexican Mafia and Sureño gang members committing various crimes. This included: Homicides, firearms trafficking, narcotics trafficking, shootings, robberies, assaults, sex offenses against minors, and organized violence within custodial facilities.
The results included 69 arrests, the seizure of 73 guns, many high-capacity magazines and rounds of ammunition, the confiscation of various narcotics and cash. The drugs included 55 lbs. of Methamphetamine, three pounds of Cocaine, and a small amount of Fentanyl powder. Nearly $165,000 was seized, which was derived from narcotics trafficking, firearms sales, and organized street gang taxes.
The arrests of these men, women, and children are expected to have an immediate impact on lowering violence across the Central Valley. By disrupting these criminal organizations, we are confident our hard work will deliver a sense of peace to residents who deserve to feel safe in their communities.
The Fresno County Sheriff’s Office and the Multi-Agency Gang Enforcement Consortium (MAGEC) would like to thank the numerous law enforcement agencies for their great assistance throughout this investigation. In total, more than 500 law enforcement members participated. Some of their specialized assignments are: Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT), Crisis Negotiation Team (CNT), Air Support Unit, K-9 Unit, Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD), Incident Management Team (IMT), Dispatch Unit, Crime Analyst Unit and Fresno County Jail Correctional Officers.
Participating agencies/task forces included:
- California Department of Justice (DOJ) Special Operations Unit (SOU)
- Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)
- Fresno County District Attorney’s Office
- Homeland Security Investigations (HSI)
- California Highway Patrol (CHP)
- California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR)
- California Department of Fish and Wildlife
- U.S. Marshals Service
- Fresno Police Department
- Clovis Police Department
- Sanger Police Department
- Kingsburg Police Department
- Selma Police Department
- Reedley Police Department
- Coalinga Police Department
- Visalia Police Department
- Tulare County Sheriff’s Regional Gun Violence Enforcement Team (TARGET)
- Kings County Sheriff’s Major Crimes Task Force (MCTF)
- Madera County Sheriff’s Office
- Madera Police Department
- Merced County Sheriff’s Gang and Narcotic Enforcement Team (MAGNET)
This remains an ongoing investigation. Anyone with information that can help detectives, please report it by contacting the Fresno County Sheriff’s Office at 559-600-3111. You may also contact Valley Crime Stoppers at 559-498-7867 or www.valleycrimestoppers.org. You will remain anonymous and may be eligible for a cash reward.
