69 gang members arrested, 73 guns seized after two-month Central California operation
A months-long multi-agency investigation called Operation Hands Down yielded 69 gang-related arrests across five Central Valley counties, law enforcment officials said Monday at a news conference in Fresno.
Fresno County Sheriff John Zanoni said the operation involved two months of investigation and was carried out Thursday, May 28.
Going into the operation, Zanoni said there were 44 targets — 42 were arrested. Authorities also know the location of one uncaptured target who is in Mexico, Zanoni said.
In total, there were 69 arrests. Authorities seized 73 firearms and about $156,000, as well as 55 pounds of meth, 3 pounds of cocaine and 10 grams of powdered fentanyl.
The people arrested are accused of being Sureño gang members with ties to the Mexican Mafia. Zanoni said the arrests included juveniles.
“The investigation also highlighted a concerning level of involvement by juvenile Sureño gang members in violent crimes and firearms trafficking,” said Zanoni, noting the youngest was 14 years old.
California Attorney General Rob Bonta attended the news conference and said the operation marked a step forward in dismantling organized crime in the Valley.
This story was originally published June 1, 2026 at 5:21 PM with the headline "69 gang members arrested, 73 guns seized after two-month Central California operation."
