Federal officials announced the arrest of 42 members and associates of the white supremacist SFV Peckerwoods gang in California on Wednesday. The arrests were part of a larger operation that resulted in a total of 68 people being charged with various crimes including racketeering, firearms and drug trafficking, bank fraud, and identity theft. The group is considered a domestic terror organization aligned with the Aryan Brotherhood and has connections to other organized crime groups, including the Mexican Mafia. They use Nazi symbolism to denote their extremist ideology.
The SFV Peckerwoods are known for their hatred towards racial, ethnic, and religious minorities, according to U.S. Attorney Martin Estrada. He described the group as a “grave menace” and a “destructive force” in the community. In addition to their extremist beliefs, the gang also focused on making money through various illegal activities, including drug trafficking and identity theft.
Law enforcement officers seized illegal firearms and large quantities of fentanyl, methamphetamine, and heroin while investigating the gang’s alleged activities. The indictment also mentioned robberies of drug dealers and merchandise heists as part of their criminal operations.
The arrests and charges are a significant blow to the SFV Peckerwoods and represent a step towards dismantling their criminal organization. The successful operation highlights the ongoing efforts of law enforcement to combat violent extremist groups and protect communities from their harmful activities.
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