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Anti-gang operation in Palm Springs

Published December 21, 2017 6:27 AM

Palm Springs Police and other law enforcement agencies conducted probation check-ups Wednesday morning on the city’s northside.

A Riverside County District Attorney spokesman, John Hall, said the District Attorney’s Office Gang Impact team was involved in the operation, called Operation Gatekeeper II. Authorities began their search at 5 a.m. in the Gateway neighborhood near Eastgate North Road and Rosa Parks Road.

The four-month investigation culminated with the arrests of more than 20 individuals. The operation targeted the Gateway Posse Crip gang — founded in 1988 — which included gang members who were involved in the illicit sales of narcotics.

Read: Police bust marijuana growing operation at Palm Springs home

According to a press release, during the investigation, law enforcement officers made undercover purchases of cocaine, crack, methamphetamine, and ecstasy directly from suspected gang members in the residential neighborhood the gang claims as its “territory.”

There was 12 arrest warrants for narcotics sales and nine search warrants, as well as 11 probation and/or parole searches.

Seven arrests were made, primarily for drug-related charges, and eight more people with
outstanding arrest warrants involving drug sales from the undercover operation are actively being sought.

One handgun and drugs including heroin, methamphetamine, and ecstasy were seized during the morning sweep.

“Our Gang Impact Team continues to expand across the county,” District Attorney Mike Hestrin said. “Today’s operation is another example of the outstanding work they do going after the criminal street gangs that are responsible for so much of our crime.”

“District Attorney Mike Hestrin has once again proven his commitment to addressing crime in all areas of the county,” Palm Springs Police Chief Bryan Reyes said. “I am grateful for the direction he has consistently taken in addressing crime as evidenced by this most recent operation.

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Operation Gatekeeper II is a spinoff of a 2009 operation that also targeted members of the Gateway Posse Crip gang. Operation Gatekeeper I resulted in 17 arrests and the recovery of 37 firearms.

Hall also released the names of 8 outstanding suspects from Wednesday’s raid:

Tyrone Thomas, born May 15, 1973