25 Arrested In Drug Sweep

Friday, December 14th 2007, 1:38 pm

By: News On 6

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) _ More than 100 state and federal authorities have arrested 25 gang members and their associates on drug charges in an investigation that focused on illegal activities in Oklahoma City and Altus.

The arrests were announced Friday by U.S. Attorney John C. Richter and other officials at a news conference.

Gangs involved were identified as the Southside Locos, East Side Vario Segundo, Grand Barrio Centrale and 98 Main Street Mafia Crip.

Officials say the investigation targeted drug traffickers who used their gang memberships and associations to help distribute significant quantities of cocaine, methamphetamine and marijuana across the Oklahoma City metropolitan area and southwestern Oklahoma.

The coordinated effort involved the FBI, the IRS, state narcotics officers, federal immigration officers, Oklahoma City police, the Oklahoma County sheriff's office and drug task forces from southwestern Oklahoma and Oklahoma City.

District Attorney John Wampler of Altus said the arrests will significantly impact a major source of illegal drugs in his area.

Most of those arrested were from Oklahoma City, with some arrests from Altus and one from McLoud. The ages of those arrested ranged from 19 to 33.

Eighteen people were in custody on federal charges and one man was still being sought. Seven people were in state custody.