Immigration officials announce new gang arrests

More than 600 gang members have been arrested in the last three months in what Immigration and Customs Enforcement calls its biggest gang roundup since 2005.

ICE Director John Morton says 678 gang members were arrested since December in 168 cities, in the latest nationwide effort targeting street gangs with ties to international drug trafficking groups, including Mexican cartels.

Federal officials say there were two arrests in early February in the Twin Cities as part of the operation.

Officials say nearly half of those arrested were members or associates of street gangs with ties to Mexico's violent cartels.

Some 447 people have been on arrested on criminal charges, while 231 were arrested on administrative immigration violations.

Create a More Connected Minnesota

MPR News is your trusted resource for the news you need. With your support, MPR News brings accessible, courageous journalism and authentic conversation to everyone - free of paywalls and barriers. Your gift makes a difference.