RSSSweep nets 80 arrests
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YAKIMA, Wash. -- More than 80 people have been arrested and a variety of drugs, firearms and cash seized in a sweep across Central Washington that targeted gang-related crime.
The arrests, which began in the early hours of Wednesday and ended Friday, included 21 in Yakima and more than 60 in the Tri-Cities.
The eight-week operation targeted street- and mid-level drug traffickers, illegal immigrants and fugitives who were suspected to be members or associated with street gangs in the two areas, according to a news release from the U.S. Attorney's Office in Spokane.
Among the seizures are eight firearms, including three believed to be stolen and two assault rifles, plus hundreds of rounds of ammunition, authorities said.
Also seized were what were described as small amounts of marijuana, methamphetamine, heroin and cocaine; three stolen vehicles and more than $14,000 in cash. The government believes the money is related to drug activity and will request that the money be forfeited, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office.
The suspects were arrested for a variety of drug or weapons violations and other crimes and are expected to face charges in state or federal court. Others taken into custody on immigration charges will face a deportation hearing, authorities said.
In a separate news release, the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement said 13 of the suspects are facing charges in connection with previous deportations, possession of fraudulent documents, or being an illegal alien or felon in possession of a firearm.
Twelve others, all Mexican citizens, were arrested on administrative immigration violations and face deportation, ICE said.
The sweep was carried out by a wide array of local, state and federal agencies, including seven federal enforcement agencies and 10 police departments and sheriff offices in Central Washington.
"...the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement said 13 of the suspects are facing charges in connection with previous deportations, possession of fraudulent documents, or being an illegal alien or felon in possession of a firearm."
FINALLY! Congratulations and a huge thanks to all the law enforcement people who took part in these raids. Now, let's see if it made even a dent in the gangs here. This is a good start, now let's hope the rest will follow - like about 300,000 of them in this state.
I can't wait until the next Operation Valley Thunder. This is good for our community and I hope sends a message to all of the gangs that we are not going to put up with their crap anymore. We will find you!
Report ViolationI'm wondering if YPD supported this operation. Sometimes what isn't said in the newspaper speaks volumes. Kudos to all the agencies who participated. Let's hope Valley Thunder is just the beginning.
Report ViolationYea I find it hard to believe that they could only round up 21 in Yakima. I think it shows who's doing a great job in the fight against gangs...The Tri-Cities!
Report ViolationMore than 80 people have been arrested and a variety of drugs, firearms and cash seized in a sweep across Central Washington that targeted gang-related crime.
The arrests, which began in the early hours of Wednesday and ended Friday, included 21 in Yakima and more than 60 in the Tri-Cities.
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Title should say 81. Anyways that is alot with nearly 33% being illegals. Didn't law enforcement do a gang sweep/serious criminal sweep about 2 months ago? If so we inherit a little more than 1 gangster a day.
Which would equate almost 400 of them a year a third being illegal at 134. Also the reporting sounds like we searched all of Central Washinton when really just between two points in a third of Central Washington.
Thank you law enforcement! I would gladly pay higher taxes for law enforcement if we saw these kinds of sweeps on a weekly basis. Unfortunately, the Yakima County Sheriff is worthless:
"Yakima County Sheriff Ken Irwin regularly gets asked why immigration status isn't questioned when deputies are investigating a crime.
"We concentrate on the criminals committing crimes, not those people violating immigration law, because effective law enforcement is based on trust of the community," he said. "And if we have a large segment of the community that does not trust law enforcement, then the community as a whole is less safe because crime is not being reported."
http://www.yakima-herald.com/stories/2009/11/14/illegal-immigrants-unlawful-activities
@ Nick, when are you going to stop your campaign... there aren't 300,000 illegal immigrant gangsters in the streets, where do you get these stats, I have no idea but it shows you're not too bright.
Anywho, I support the raids on firearms and methamphetamine possession... but are they seriously WASTING tax dollars for "small marijuana posession?"
What a waste of taxes and resouces.
Do any of you younger people now realize why The Third world
was not allowed in the U.S. in the past?
Mostly Immigrants of European decent were allowed as immigrants into the U.S.
and they were screened for a "criminal past" or "illness".
Only decent immigrants with Western Values were allowed in.
Now that the Multinational Corporations have allowed all this scum into the U.S. we law-abiding Americans are paying the price for this stupidity.
Of course I will be called a racist for telling the truth.
We should demand that the 1965 Immigration Reform Act be
RETRACTED! NOW.
No amnesty ever again!
Western values? You sound like one of those baby boomer closeted racists who are too resistent to change. Since you didn't specify "western values" I have a feeling it has something to do with being a white, suburban, middle aged, upper class, christian suburbanite. You have to understand that theres more to life than your narrow view.
Report ViolationAmong the seizures are eight firearms, including three believed to be stolen and two assault rifles, plus hundreds of rounds of ammunition, authorities said.
Also seized were what were described as small amounts of marijuana, methamphetamine, heroin and cocaine; three stolen vehicles and more than $14,000 in cash. The government believes the money is related to drug activity and will request that the money be forfeited, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office.
The suspects were arrested for a variety of drug or weapons violations and other crimes and are expected to face charges in state or federal court. Others taken into custody on immigration charges will face a deportation hearing, authorities said.
In a separate news release, the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement said 13 of the suspects are facing charges in connection with previous deportations, possession of fraudulent documents, or being an illegal alien or felon in possession of a firearm.
Twelve others, all Mexican citizens, were arrested on administrative immigration violations and face deportation, ICE said.
----------------------------------------------------------
Guns, stolen vehicles, money and drugs are off the streets. It is the guys bringing it here that make it all possible. 25 illegals were netted at the bust. Many with firearms and past felonies. I wonder what the few from productive Mexican American citizens think?
Are they for deportation of illegals or not?
(This comment has been removed by a Yakima Herald-Republic moderator)
"I wonder what the few from productive Mexican American citizens think? "
Wow, how can the moderators allow such bigotry?!!
"Are they for deportation of illegals or not?"
The criminals, yes... but considering that most aren't commiting crimes and paying taxes.. I... along 52% of Americans can assure you that they shouldn't be deported... now if they're known gang members on the other hand...
but it doesn't matter, you and nick have proven time and time again to having lackluster mathematic skills, since you two always come to absurd conclusions.
(This comment has been removed by a Yakima Herald-Republic moderator)
From what I've seen on the news and how the numbers played out I don't believe we have YPD involvement or minimal at best. There should be no thanks given to them for Valley Thunder. I believe these were some well spent federal dollars and the citizens of the Tri-Cities have leadership who know how to put their money where their mouth is instead of paying out for attorney's fees.
Farmerswife,
You are correct; YPD was not involved and had nothing to do with the operation because federal authorities, along with other local law enforcement agencies, have little respect for YPD leadership and avoid having to deal with them. In fact, YPD was notified at the last minute concerning the operation and arrests that would be made within their jurisdiction.
Federal and other local law enforcement agencies have great respect and think highly of YPD rank and file, but do not feel the same about their leadership.
I also would be willing to vote for higher taxes if we saw this kind of action more often. I am tired of all of the crime and violence that happens in the barrio. And Ogre, I expect a judgmental comment from you. But just so you know I live in the barrio and the violence in this neighborhood is gang-related and 99% Mexican.
Report Violation"I also would be willing to vote for higher taxes if we saw this kind of action more often. I am tired of all of the crime and violence that happens in the barrio. And Ogre, I expect a judgmental comment from you. But just so you know I live in the barrio and the violence in this neighborhood is gang-related and 99% Mexican."
The problem you seem to have is that you can't distinguish "hispanic", "latino", "illegal immigrant", "crimal", "mexican" and "gang member".
They're all the same to you.
"I also would be willing to vote for higher taxes if we saw this kind of action more often. I am tired of all of the crime and violence that happens in the barrio. And Ogre, I expect a judgmental comment from you. But just so you know I live in the barrio and the violence in this neighborhood is gang-related and 99% Mexican."
The problem you seem to have is that you can't distinguish "hispanic", "latino", "illegal immigrant", "crimal", "mexican" and "gang member".
They're all the same to you.
"I also would be willing to vote for higher taxes if we saw this kind of action more often. I am tired of all of the crime and violence that happens in the barrio. And Ogre, I expect a judgmental comment from you. But just so you know I live in the barrio and the violence in this neighborhood is gang-related and 99% Mexican."
The problem you seem to have is that you can't distinguish "hispanic", "latino", "illegal immigrant", "crimal", "mexican" and "gang member".
They're all the same to you.
Ogre - In answer to your questions/accusations and misinformation about the numbers I have used:
The 300,000 figure for the illegal population in this STATE are from the State of Washington's own estimates of total Hispanic population OF APPROXIMATELY 400,000. 300,000 is the remainder after calculating the 75%, (not 33%) who are reportedly illegal. This percentage comes straight from Sen. Patty Murray's office in a personal email to me, (that the YHR editors have a copy of in their files somewhere) that "ESTIMATES THE NUMBER OF ILLEGALS IN OUT COUNTRY IS LIKELY TO BE APPROXIMATELY 75%" OF THE TOTAL.
Truth - Since this state allows illegals to vote and partake of all welfare-related benefits meant (legally at least) only for citizens, they certainly aren't going to deport likely democrat voters and all the cheap, vulnerable labor for the Republicans.
Of course, this total percentage includes those from all other countries, since not all illegals come from Latin America, (the reason why my fight against illegal immigration os not a racist, but a law enforcement issue).
However, American Voice is correct. Supporting his comment: In our area, nearly ALL gang violence is committed by Hispanics from one Latino country or another in the south of us. These figures are according to the State of Washington's tracking of violent crimes and those committed by whom: "Over 90% of the gangs in Washington State consist of members from the Hispanic Community. Of all Violent crimes in this state, 80% are committed by gangs".
Ogre - better do your homework before you dump on others for their perceived lack of knowledge. And, I don't plan to stop my campaign against ILLEGAL CRIMINAL ALIENS, ever. As long as they are present in this country, I will fight illegal aliens in every way I can. This fight includes calling for the prosecution for those who employ them, which I see as one of two primary causes of the problem to begin with. The other would be lack of enforcement of our adequate and existing immigration laws.
You just proved my point... you're seriously hysterical if you put a working family paying taxes in the same tier as a criminal gang group.
If you really consider them the same then you're a pathetic bigot! Theres really no way around it. How can anyone possibly want to punish a child that has no say in their situation and is living their life to the best of their abilities... and say that they're the same as a legal citizen who joins a gang?
Honestly, are you that.... ummm... thick headed? You know I should use other harsher synonyms for you but I wont'.
300,000-400,000 illegal immigrants, and only 21 nabbed in yakima for harsh crimes.... yeah, those other 300,000 must be amazingly good at being career criminals or perhaps they're just being good law abiding citizens.
But i know you struggle with mathematical figures so if you think 21 arrests is an indicator of the horrible illegal aliens, then so be it.
21 arrests of whichever cultural ethnic background criminal they are is an indication that the federal agencies involved received minimal assistance from local agencies throughout the investigation. I'd bet a dime to my dollar that there would have been substantially more criminals arrested in this operation had a cooperative local presence participated. Perhaps city council will fund some team building training for their law enforcement leadership.
Report Violation^^Ofcourse... but I don't think you get the point.
Report ViolationOgre - go back an reread my comment and numbers. I said there were about 300,000 illegals of a total of 400,000 Hispanic population in the state. The only reason these are here in that large of numbers is due to the lack of proper enforcement by our Federal and local law enforcement agencies. The reason they are STILL here, is the same.
Since Reagan gave the first amnesty, (are you a product of that?) to 3.5 million illegals, just to make them quit whining and making demands on the system, we ended up with about 6 million total, due to the lax rules for the same consideration for family members. Much worse will happen if this administration declares another amnesty. The government cover-up estimate is only about 12 million total illegals, when the real number is more like 35 million. Of course, not all these are Hispanics. However, most are.
Ogre, you spout the same rhetoric that we hear from La Raza, (the Race) and local pro-illegal supporters like Luz Gutierrez and Hector Franco, in their attempts to throw off the real numbers. The sad part is that our pandering politicians are stupid and lazy enough not to verify the real problem.
Give it up Ogre, you don't know nearly as much as you think you do about it. It is easy to see when you are losing the argument when you decide to play the "race card" as a last resort. This really is an absurd position to try to defend, since it has no basis in fact or truth.
1- Theres closer to 600,000 hispanics.
2- The numbers for illegal immigrants were never official, and the last tally put the number closer to 150,000-200,000 not the figure you gave which was 200% off.
3- undocumented immigration is a victimless crime.
4- I've showed you incarceration rates from the federal government showing that illegal immigrants have the lowest rate in the nation.
5- I've showed you that while illegals use up about 10 billion federal and state dollars every year, they put over 50 billion in social security, more from sales taxes, more from property taxes, and help stimulate the economy by purchasing goods and services.
Nick, give it up, the age of 1950's culture shock is over.
Also, you constantly acuse any ethnic hispanic or Mexican national of being an "illegal alien criminal/gangster". Keep in mind that if what you say is true, half of all Americans wouldn't be for some sort of amnesty for those who've been here many years, not commiting crimes, and trying hard to be good americans.
but if you want to argue semantics then I guess I've lost, I can't blame you for being ignorant.
I'm glad to see that there are steps being taken in your areas to deal with the issues at hand. I live in Pendleton in Umatilla County. We have similar problems in the Hermiston and Milton-Freewater areas. In fact, you may remember a couple of years ago our sheriff billed the Mexican president for part of what it costs us to house the illegals as prisoners in a year. I believe it was around $300,000 and that wasn't everything. Of course, he never received a reply or any money.
It is unfortunate, and yo can excuse them any way you want and creative accounting may show they put more money in than they take out, but the plain fact is, these people entered the country illegally and are consuming resources that are meant for legal citizens. They are not in any way entitled to anything more than emergency medical care and food and shelter while they are returned. That's it, no more. And if they are engaged in any criminal activity, then they should be imprisoned, and actually, as far as I'm concerned, after seeing how destructive gangs are, not just Mexican, but all of them, they should be executed as terrorists for being part of any gang that has committed capital crimes. I see little real difference between terorists and violent criminals, so why treat them differently.
I have known personally two illegals who deserved to be citizens, and one had become one in an amnesty program some years ago. Decent, hard working family man, the kind of person you could be neighbors and friends with, that contributed to the community like anyone else. Thesecond was a young man, again, a hard working, very bright, very nice fellow who had married an American girl, had a child and did his best to support them. This was in Yakima, in fact. He was threatened with deportation for some reason, don't remember now. Why we couldn't make an exception for him or at least help him and those few like him to become citizens, I don't know, but it does seem that the criminal element gets away with an awful lot. I think the only reason Pendleton isn't like the other areas is that they know we are well armed and won't put up with that kind of behavior.
Also, I see in the Hispanic community a tolerance for gang activity, even though it may not be presented as good. That has to stop, right now nad that is the Hispanic community's task to do, us white folks aren't going to make a difference in a cultural issue. Instead of promoting scumbags like gang members as an ideal, why not emphasize the contributions made by Latino businessmen and women or athletes or scholars? Please don't use Judge Sotomayor as a role model, she only got there because she used her minority status to do it, she passed other, better scholars who got better grades but she played the minority card. That's not admirable. To do well on the same playing field is admirable in the same general culture.
Oh yeah, one more thing. Someone mentioned profiling. My son was trained as a profiler in the miltary by the FBI profiler who broke the "Green River Killer" cases and the "Son of Sam." There is no such thing as racial profiling, it doesn't exist. All the cops do is play the numbers. If you live in an area where a lot of whites live and cause most of the crime, that's who you watch first. Same with any group, it only makes sense. Racial profiling doesn't work in a society like ours because anyone who's lived in it a while will act generally the same in a given circumstance as anyone else, either good or bad. It may work on people who haven't been here long enough to be familiar, but that would be the only real exception.
I'll shut up now.
You actually had good points, other than completely contradicting yourself. In one sentence you say
"They are not in any way entitled to anything more than emergency medical care and food and shelter while they are returned. That's it, "
and then you say
" Why we couldn't make an exception for him or at least help him and those few like him to become citizens, I don't know"
I really don't like how you and Nick imply that most illegal aliens are in criminal gangs, shows exactly how much you don't know what you're talking about.
p.s. if you don't like "creative accounting" then don't trust any government economic sources.
Report ViolationI think the arrests are great. Although I think that when citizens call in to multiple agencies and cannot get a straight answer about what may be happening two parcels away it is ridiculous. During this "sweep" which happened in my neighborhood in East Valley on Wednesday morning beginning before 6 a.m., My neighbor called me scared because an enormous helicopter was circling and hovering in our area. I called YSO, YPD, DEA, and Yakima Training Center and received, "We don't know what could be going on."
I understand the element of surprise but PLEASE. How can a massive helicopter be a surprise at all. I, unfortunately was already at work and was close to coming home when my neighbor called me back to say DEA and other agencies were swarming the home up here, guns drawn and searching.
What really gets me is that when I had an issue with threats from one of these house inhabitants a couple of months ago, nothing was done but now they swoop in? that's cool.
It's just funny how YSO had stolen plate on a different car over a month ago and didn't do anything about it, and it lives at this house that just got raided. There is a reason I moved out to no man's land, to get away from the gang/studpid activity.
I think they should keep it up and keep it going. Just communicate with the law abiding good citizens of our county when we question strange/abnormal activity happening in our backyard.
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