SACRAMENTO –  On January 24, 2017 the Sacramento Police Department announced the conclusion of an operation with the California Department of Justice, the California Highway Patrol, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Sacramento County District Attorney’s Office to bring an end to the violence between two rival gang feuding in North Sacramento.

“Operation Challenger” began in November 2016 and targeted high level gang members. Officers and agents arrested 20 suspects in four different states for charges including attempted murder, human trafficking, robbery, narcotics, and firearms.   Additionally, 11 firearms were seized and 20 search warrants were served during the investigation.

According to the Sacramento Police Department, since the conclusion of the operation, investigators have gained a tremendous amount of insight into the scope of the two criminal street gangs.   Additional arrests are expected.

“Operation Challenger is a perfect example of law enforcement agencies on every level working together to reduce violent crime and helping to make communities safer,” said California Statewide Law Enforcement Association (CSLEA) President Alan Barcelona.  “The combined expertise of local law enforcement officers with state and federal agents paid off. “