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Operation leads to arrests of dozens of alleged gang members in Tampa Bay area

"Operation Blackjack" led to 39 arrests, officials said.
Credit: Ian Waldie

Nearly 40 alleged members and associates of the "Unforgiven" and "United Aryan Brotherhood" gangs have been indicted on arms and drug trafficking charges after an operation centered in Pasco County, the U.S. Attorney's Office said Thursday.

"Operation Blackjack" led to 39 arrests, officials said.

It arose out of a partnership between the United States Attorney’s Office, the State Attorney’s Office for the Sixth Judicial Circuit, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the Pasco Sheriff’s Office. The cases will be prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s Office’s Violent Crimes and Narcotics Section.

The charges range from possessing firearms and pipe bombs to possessing and distributing meth and heroin.

Those indicted were mostly Pasco County residents, but there were also people from Tampa, Palmetto, Bartow, Bushnell and Orlando. They range in age from 24 to 48. Several of the indictments have already led to convictions and sentences as long as 10 years in prison.

Operation Blackjack by 10News WTSP on Scribd

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