Law enforcement officials arrested more than 50 documented gang members over the weekend in San Diego County. The sweep reveals a cross-border connection between street gangs and drug cartels.
SPECIAL COVERAGE
Law enforcement officers from Vista to Spring Valley were out in full force starting last Friday in hopes of disrupting gang activity.
Police said San Diego County street gangs are working with Mexican drug cartels to smuggle drugs, money, weapons and people into the U.S.
David Meyers, a captain with San Diego County Sheriff's Department, said local street gangs want to work with cartels because there's a lot of money to be made.
However, competition for cartel business is creating a lot of infighting among local street gangs, especially when it comes to pushing drugs.
“(San Diego County) street gangs become essentially the distribution center points in San Diego County for the cartel members,” Meyers said. “There are huge profits. Rival street gang members know about this and want a cut of it, but no one wants to share. That’s when the fighting starts.”
Meyers said the fighting adds to the gang violence already affecting local communities.
