The authorities announced on Thursday that they had conducted a year-long investigation into the criminal activities of the San Bernardino street gang, arrested 180 people, closed 30 illegal gambling activities, and seized more than 100 assault weapons and pistols.

San Bernardino police began an investigation last year involving illegal gun sales involving Westside Verdugo, a Latino street gang that has rooted in the city for about 70 years.

But early in the investigation, the police realized that they were dealing with more than illegal gun sales. Police Chief David Green said at a press conference at the San Bernardino Police Station on Thursday that the police had seized dozens of them during the investigation. An assault weapon and a pistol. The survey is distributed on a table. There is also a large electronic gambling machine on display.

"When they started to analyze these cases more, they realized that it was more coordinated and more important than they initially realized, so they started to conduct it as a conspiracy type of investigation," Green said. He said , The investigation and subsequent arrests extended to Orange County and Los Angeles County.

San Bernardino County District Attorney Jason Anderson speaks at a press conference at the San Bernardino Police Station in San Bernardino on Thursday, December 9, 2021. The authorities announced the results of a multi-agency operation against the criminal street gang in Westside Verdugo, which resulted in the arrest of 180 people and the closure of 30 illegal gambling operations. (Photo: Watchara Phomicinda, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)

On Thursday, December 9, 2021, at a press conference held at the San Bernardino Police Station in San Bernardino, photos of 180 people arrested in connection with the criminal street gang in Westside Verdugo were displayed. (Photo: Watchara Phomicinda, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)

On Thursday, December 9, at a press conference at the San Bernardino Police Department in San Bernardino, California Attorney General Robert Bonta announced the results of a multi-agency operation against the criminal street gang in Westside Verdugo This action resulted in the arrest of 180 people and the closure of 30 illegal gambling activities, 2021. (Photo: Watchara Phomicinda, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)

San Bernardino Police Chief David Green announced at a press conference held at the San Bernardino Police Station in San Bernardino on Thursday, December 9, 2021. During the operation, 180 people were arrested and 111 guns were seized. (Photo courtesy of Watchara Phomicinda, News Enterprise/SCNG)

On Thursday, December 9, 2021, a press conference held at the San Bernardino Police Station in San Bernardino showcased guns seized from a multi-agency operation against the criminal street gang in Westside Verdugo. (Photo: Watchara Phomicinda, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)

On Thursday, December 9, 2021, a press conference held at the San Bernardino Police Station in San Bernardino showcased guns seized from a multi-agency operation against the criminal street gang in Westside Verdugo. (Photo: Watchara Phomicinda, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)

On Thursday, December 9, 2021, a press conference held at the San Bernardino Police Station in San Bernardino showcased guns seized from a multi-agency operation against the criminal street gang in Westside Verdugo. (Photo: Watchara Phomicinda, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)

In June, when the San Bernardino Police Department asked the State Attorney General's special operations team to join, the investigation stepped up. The Santa Ana Police Department, the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, and the California Highway Patrol also assisted in the investigation. The investigation culminated on Wednesday when the police dispersed in San Bernardino County, issuing 34 search warrants, arresting 31 people, and 111 guns were seized at the location.

During the investigation that created "Operation Westside Jenga," the police seized 92 pistols, 19 offensive weapons, more than $295,000 in cash, and hundreds of pounds of methamphetamine, marijuana, heroin and fentanyl. The police said that several potential shootings and armed robberies were thwarted, and the evidence collected by investigators during the investigation helped close the two homicides.

In addition, investigators also infiltrated and shut down 30 illegal gambling businesses and seized more than 100 high-end gambling machines. Authorities stated that these facilities were related to five homicides, four attempted murders and other crimes in 2021.

Green said that the gambling business-equipped with high-end gambling machines, most of which were obtained on the black market and imported from China-generates tens of thousands of dollars in income every week and is operated outside of private residences, warehouses and closed businesses. .

He said the gambling facility is a joint venture between Westside Verdugo and the Mexican Mafia, a patriarchal prison gang that “taxes” from Westside Verdugo and other Latino street gangs. Some of its revenue is reinvested in the gambling business.

"It has a hierarchy. It has its own business model. This is an illegal business model, but it is still very profitable," Green said.

California Attorney General Robert Bonta said that people in San Bernardino "can sleep tonight because their communities are safer."

"We are putting serious criminals in jail," Bonta said, adding that he was proud of the findings not only as the attorney general but also as a father. "Every child in California should grow up in a safe community-a community free of violence, a community free of gun violence."

Green said that the authorities chose to handle prosecutions locally without the help of the federal government. The federal government often uses the Extortion Affects Corrupt Organizations Act (known as the RICO Act) to outlaw such large-scale criminal enterprises.

"In this case, we do not seek federal prosecution because we have the District Attorney's Office, and we think it can provide us with a successful prosecution result," Green said. "But these types of cases are usually handled by federal prosecutors in accordance with RICO regulations."

San Bernardino County District Attorney Jason Anderson said his office has so far charged 45 defendants with various felonies, including a total of 57 gun improvements and 41 gang improvements. Anderson said the six defendants are facing a third strike.

"In this particular situation, our role is twofold. First, we will punish these people as severely as possible, and second, we will separate them from other law-abiding communities as much as possible," Anderson said.

The authorities said that more criminal charges are expected.

"Many of these cases are still under review, and we expect more charges," Green said. "Some will try it out jointly, and some will analyze it separately."

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