In response to increases in gang- and narcotics-related activity in the Santa Maria Valley, the Sheriff’s Gang Enforcement Unit participated in a gang sweep of the area on Friday, May 18.
The Unit conducted the sweep in collaboration with other local law enforcement agencies, including the Santa Maria Police Department Gang Suppression Team. The operations resulted in the arrest of 18 people. Their names have not been released.
To date, none of the persons arrested have been charged with a “gang enhancement,” said Sheriff’s spokesperson Kelly Hoover, although detectives will determine if such charges are appropriate.