Dozens of suspected gang members were arrested in a crackdown targeting criminal syndicates involved in offenses including murder and drug-trafficking, Los Angeles police said.

Officers from the Los Angeles Police Department and federal agencies swooped in a series of early morning raids carried out at 47 locations throughout the city and surrounding areas, the LAPD confirmed.

A total of 44 people were arrested in connection with felonies including narcotics and gun trafficking, carjacking, home invasion robberies, witness intimidation and murder, an LAPD spokeswoman said.

Five other people were arrested for parole and drug violations.

LAPD Deputy Chief Sergio Diaz told KTLA5 that most of those named in the warrants had been arrested, and that the operation targeted locations in Los Angeles, San Bernardino, Kern and Merced counties.

"Our goal is to occupy this community, move these people out... and support the law-abiding people that deserve to live in dignity here," Diaz said.

AFP.

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