20 arrested during Mongols Motorcycle Club gathering in Cathedral City

CATHEDRAL CITY (KESQ)— Cathedral City police arrested 20 people during a high-visibility enforcement operation tied to a weekend gathering of the Mongols Motorcycle Club, authorities said.

The operation was conducted Friday and Saturday in partnership with several local and state law enforcement agencies while the Mongols held a gathering at the DoubleTree by Hilton Golf Resort Palm Springs.

According to Cathedral City police, officers made 15 arrests Friday involving suspected narcotics and weapons violations, possession of stolen property, suspended licenses and outstanding warrants. Three handguns were recovered, 42 citations were issued and five vehicles were stored or impounded.

On Saturday, officers made five additional arrests involving suspected weapons offenses and seized three more handguns. Police also issued 35 citations and stored or impounded nine vehicles.

The enforcement effort involved the California Highway Patrol, Riverside County Sheriff's Department, Desert Hot Springs Police Department, Palm Springs Police Department, Indio Police Department and California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation parole agents.

The U.S. Department of Justice identifies the Mongols as an outlaw motorcycle gang. Cathedral City Police Chief Rick Sanchez previously said the department was treating the gathering accordingly.

We are speaking with Cathedral City police to learn more about the department's enforcement effort, including what prompted the operation and what officers encountered during the weekend. We’ll have more details tonight on News Channel 3 at 4pm, 5pm and 6pm.