IE Gang Crackdown Leads To Assault Rifles, Ghost Guns Seized: Sheriff

INLAND EMPIRE, CA — A weeklong law enforcement operation across San Bernardino County resulted in five felony arrests and the seizure of 18 firearms, including three ghost guns, authorities said.

The operation, conducted Oct. 19 through Oct. 25, involved investigators from the agency's Gangs/Narcotics Division, deputies from patrol stations and personnel from partner agencies, according to the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department.

Investigators served five search warrants and contacted suspects throughout the county, including in Colton, Yucaipa, Adelanto, Chino Hills, Redlands, San Bernardino, Hesperia, Chino and Victorville, authorities said.

During the operation, investigators contacted gang members and people prohibited from possessing firearms, authorities said.

The San Bernardino Movement Against Street Hoodlums Street Enforcement Team also conducted proactive patrols in San Bernardino and surrounding areas.

Operation Consequences is funded through an allocation authorized by the San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors to support countywide crime suppression efforts. The funding is intended to provide additional law enforcement services addressing quality-of-life issues affecting communities throughout the county.

The ongoing operation focuses on targeted crime suppression in the High Desert and areas under the sheriff’s jurisdiction surrounding San Bernardino.

Participating agencies include the Sheriff’s Department's Gangs/Narcotics Division, Specialized Enforcement Division and patrol stations, along with the California Highway Patrol, San Bernardino Police Department, San Bernardino County Probation and Homeland Security Investigations.

Authorities said Operation Consequences will continue over the next several months, with the goal of reducing violent crime, disrupting and dismantling targeted criminal street gangs, and locating and arresting people suspected of illegally possessing, manufacturing or trafficking firearms.