Federal and local law enforcement agencies carried out coordinated raids Tuesday morning in the Los Angeles Harbor area, targeting members and associates of the Rancho San Pedro street gang, one of the region’s most violent and entrenched criminal organizations.

The operation resulted from a multi-year investigation led by the FBI, the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD), and U.S. Homeland Security Investigations (HSI).

Agents and police with the FBI, HSI, LAPD and Torrance PD, including multiple S.W.A.T. Teams, were up early today serving dozens of arrest and search warrants for members and associates of the violent Rancho San Pedro (RSP) street gang who were charged either federally or by the… pic.twitter.com/sJGq5tdwQL

— FBI Los Angeles (@FBILosAngeles) October 7, 2025

According to officials, the investigation identified numerous suspects tied to violent crimes, drug trafficking, and organized criminal activity under the control of the Mexican Mafia.

Eight of 14 individuals charged in a federal criminal complaint were arrested Tuesday, along with five others facing state charges filed by the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office.

Law enforcement also executed nine federal and eight state search warrants in the San Pedro area.

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“I’m proud of the years of hard work that went into this case by investigators at the federal and local level to target the upper echelon of this extremely violent gang,” said Akil Davis, assistant director in charge of the FBI’s Los Angeles Field Office.

“Today’s actions will cause a significant setback to Rancho San Pedro and their Mexican Mafia overlords and lead to safer streets for San Pedro residents.”

The Rancho San Pedro gang, known locally as RSP, originated in the 1970s and currently has an estimated 500 members divided into six subgroups, including two female cliques.

Authorities said the gang operates under the oversight of Mexican Mafia members incarcerated in California state prisons.

In exchange for protection, RSP members are required to pay “taxes” to the Mexican Mafia. Gang members who violate internal rules face violent discipline, and those accused of cooperating with law enforcement risk being killed, according to the federal complaint.

“Our Harbor Division investigators, working closely with the FBI and HSI, methodically built a case to expose those directing this criminal enterprise,” said LAPD Chief Jim McDonnell.

“This operation delivers a powerful message—we will use every tool available to protect our communities and bring violent offenders to justice.”

Thirteen defendants are charged with conspiracy to violate the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act and conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances.

A fourteenth defendant faces charges of being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition.

“Today’s takedown highlights my office’s commitment to making America safe by dismantling violent street gangs,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli.

“Together with our federal and local partners, we can make our communities safe for law-abiding citizens.”

Authorities allege that some of the defendants issued orders from prison on behalf of the Mexican Mafia, including commands related to drug distribution, firearm transactions, and internal gang leadership decisions.

Others are accused of committing acts of violence, extortion, and robbery to expand the gang’s influence and maintain control over its territory.

“These arrests prove the power of partnerships,” said Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan J. Hochman.

“When law enforcement agencies collaborate, we are able to take violent offenders and illegal weapons off our streets. These arrests demonstrate our commitment to restoring safety and trust in every community, especially those that have suffered the most from gang violence.”

HSI Special Agent in Charge Eddy Wang said the joint operation demonstrates how interagency cooperation can disrupt organized crime.

“HSI and our federal, state, and local law enforcement partners are committed to targeting the most violent gangs in the Southland,” Wang said.

The criminal complaint details the gang’s involvement in distributing methamphetamine, fentanyl, heroin, cocaine, and phencyclidine (PCP).

If convicted, most of the federal defendants face a statutory maximum of life in prison.

“Organized criminal enterprises cannot stand up to the power of good law enforcement work,” said California Attorney General Rob Bonta.

“As a result of this collaborative investigation, we’ve taken illegal weapons and dangerous drugs like fentanyl and heroin off our streets and kept our Los Angeles communities safe from the threat of violence.”

The operation involved multiple tactical teams, including the LAPD, Torrance Police Department, HSI’s Special Response Team, FBI SWAT units from Los Angeles, Las Vegas, Phoenix, and San Diego, and the FBI’s Hostage Rescue Team.

The federal defendants were scheduled to make their first court appearance Tuesday afternoon in U.S. District Court in Los Angeles.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kelsey A. Stimson and Claire E. Kelly of the Major Crimes Section are prosecuting the case.