In an extensive, early-morning operation in Los Angeles on Tuesday, twelve fugitives were apprehended in a significant seven-agency sting led by the Department of Homeland Security.
The arrests marked the conclusion of a nearly two-year investigation called “Operation Supper’s Ready,” which focused on rival transnational gangs that U.S. officials claim are exploiting and terrorizing the United States.
The rival gangs are accused of terrorizing their American neighborhoods, engaging in shootouts, and in one case, kidnapping and torturing another member, documenting the violence on video.
The tension between the two was evident at the command center on Tuesday where they were being collectively gathered and processed. At point there, while two of the men were handcuffed and chained at the feet, one of them slammed his body into another, leading to a shouting match and law enforcement separating the two.
“This is purely an operation that makes the community much safer,” said HSI Los Angeles Acting Deputy Special Agent in Charge Dwayne Angebrandt.
DHS and the U.S. Attorney in Los Angeles told Fox on site that the ability to make arrests at home and carry out these types of stings has become much easier under the Trump administration.
“We’ve been able to go after these criminals much more robustly and able to attack them where they live,” Angebrandt said.
Fox News got exclusive access with DHS as it carried out a fully armored search-and-arrest of one of the suspects at his home before sunrise in an upscale L.A. area neighborhood. (Fox News)
The U.S. Attorney’s Office says approximately $100,000 in cash, three armored vehicles, and 14 firearms were recovered during the bust and one suspect remains at large.
If convicted, the defendants could face between 10 years and life in federal prison, as well as deportation.
“It’s a privilege to be here on a visa or other temporary status within our country. So they are visitors, they violate our laws, and they’ll be prosecuted, hopefully convicted, and then removed,” said Essayli.
Law enforcement tells Fox the sting got its name “Operation Supper’s Ready” based off a picture depicting some of the suspects enjoying a “mob-style” dinner.
