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Release Number: 09-041

For Immediate Release

Public Information Office

February 19, 2009

JD Callaway: jcallawa@hcso.tampa.fl.us

(813) 247-8060

 

 

 

As of today, Thursday, February 19, 2009 at 12:53 there have been 75 arrests.  We will update with a grand total once the investigation ends today.

 

 

 

 

 In October 2007, Florida Attorney General Bill McCollum created the Florida Gang Reduction Task Force in order to reduce the gangs and gang violence in Florida.  The goals of this task force is to stop the growth of criminal street gangs in Florida, reduce the number of gangs and gang members, and render gangs ineffectual.   To meet these goals, and accomplish this mission, the Task Force is built on a three pillar approach: gang prevention, law enforcement, and rehabilitation and re-entry programs.    

            In August 2008, law enforcement agencies within Hillsborough County along with the seven surrounding counties encompassing the area known as “Region 4”  began to implement the goals and objectives of the Task Force by conducting a county wide gang round up in their respective counties. Region 4 of the Florida Gang Reduction Task Force consists of Hillsborough, Pinellas, Pasco, Polk, Hernando, Citrus, Sumter and Hardee counties.  Both the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office, Florida Highway Patrol, Immigrations and Customs Enforcement and U.S. Marshals Service through active investigations and analysis of known gang members with active warrants targeted specific individuals for arrest in a combined effort known as “Operation Boomerang- We’ll Be Back”.  As a result, detectives from both agencies were able to make criminal cases on 123 gang or associated gang members.  Active investigations yielded 240 felony drug and property related charges. Through active investigations detectives seized 2 kilos of cocaine, 156 pounds of marijuana, and 582 grams of crystal methamphetamine.  Detectives were also effective in removing eight firearms off the street that were used during the commission of these crimes, and seized approximately $60,000 worth of cash and vehicles.

 

Operation Boomerang encompassed members from the following criminal street gangs within Hillsborough County: 32nd Street, 34th Street (Tre Four), 82nd Street, Bloods, Draks, Goyams, Latin Kings, Latin Life,  Los Ventisiete, Los Zetas, Netas, Norte 14, PV Boys, Raw Dawgz, Sur 13, Westside and Young Godz.

            This joint operation is the first of many reduction initiatives that will be implemented by area law enforcement agencies and other Gang Reduction Task Force members to combat criminal street gangs and gang related crime in our communities.  The key to the success of the Task Force’s strategy is coordination and cooperation among federal, state and local governments, law enforcement, elected officials, community leaders and the business community. 

Sue McCormick, special agent in charge of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement investigations in Tampa, said “The public needs to rest assured that ICE and our partner agencies are out there identifying and apprehending gang members and making sure they are held accountable for their unlawful actions.”


Region 4 of the Gang Reduction Task Force is one of the seven Florida regions to take part in attacking this growing domestic threat.  Each participating agency within Region 4 is one hundred percent (100%) committed to this gang reduction initiative and all the law enforcement agencies will be conducting a round-up, street sweep or similar activity as a way of meeting the Task Force’s goals and objectives.