Feds Raid Crips, Arrest 22; Take Drugs, Guns

More than 500 federal agents and local officers raided several South L.A. locations this morning and arrested nearly two dozen members and associates of the Rolling 60's neighborhood Crips gang. This is the biggest sting yet in a two-and-a-half year joint investigation involving the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and LAPD.

300 members of the LAPD were in on this morning's sting, along with members of the U.S. Secret Service and ATF agents. 22 suspected gang members were arrested on federal and state firearms, narcotics and counterfeit currency charges and an additional 18 arrest warrants were issued for suspects at large.

"We think we've pretty much decimated this gang," ATF Special Agent in Charge John Torres told LAist. LAPD Deputy Chief Charlie Beck noted that gang-related crimes in the area of the 77th Street Station (7600 S. Broadway) were down 36% in the first quarter this year compared to 2006.

The Rolling 60's are on Mayor Villaraigosa and Chief Bratton's list of LA's 11 worst gangs, however, none of the individuals implicated today were on the mayor's "Ten Most Wanted" list, which, of course, is subject to change.

Can today's raid -- part of the ATF-led Violent Crime Impact Team initiative -- really affect gang-related crime as the feds suggest? 17 firearms and 22 arrests doesn't add up to much of a "conclusion" to a nearly 3-year investigation.

More photos and details after the jump.