Federal and state authorities in the Los Angeles Harbor area arrested several suspected members of the violent Rancho San Pedro criminal gang in a morning raid Oct. 7, the FBI announced.

Eight of 14 people charged in a federal criminal complaint filed in U.S. District Court were taken into custody, along with five defendants who face state charges.

The arrests were the result of a multi-year investigation by the FBI, the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD), and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

The Rancho San Pedro gang is known to be responsible for various crimes and acts of violence in the harbor area, according to the FBI.

“I’m proud of the years of hard work that went into this case by investigators at the federal and local level to target the upper echelon of this extremely violent gang,” said Akil Davis, the assistant director in charge of the FBI’s Los Angeles Field Office. “Today’s actions will cause a significant setback to Rancho San Pedro and their Mexican Mafia overlords, and lead to safer streets for San Pedro residents.”

San Pedro is home to the San Pedro port complex, which includes the busy ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach.

In addition to the arrests, nine federal search warrants and eight state search warrants were executed at several locations in the San Pedro area, the FBI reported.

“Our Harbor Division investigators, working closely with the FBI and [Homeland Security], methodically built a case to expose those directing this criminal enterprise,” said LAPD Chief Jim McDonnell.

Authorities say the Rancho San Pedro Enterprise is a multi-generational gang with about 500 members who are divided into about six groups. The gang started in the 1970s and claims the city of San Pedro as its territory, according to the FBI.

The gang operates under the control of Mexican Mafia members who are incarcerated in California state prisons. Authorities say Rancho San Pedro gang members make payments, known as “taxes,” to the Mexican Mafia in return for their protection.

Gang members who violate Rancho San Pedro or Mexican Mafia rules are subject to assault, the FBI reported.

Serious violations, including cooperating with law enforcement, may result in death, according to court documents.

Shipping containers wait to be transferred from the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach on Oct. 14, 2021. (John Fredricks/The Epoch Times)

“Today’s takedown highlights my office’s commitment to making America safe by dismantling violent street gangs,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli.

Thirteen defendants are charged in the federal complaint for their roles in a Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) conspiracy and for conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute controlled substances.

According to the FBI, some of the defendants issued orders from prison on behalf of the Mexican Mafia, including the collection of taxes, drug distribution, firearms transfers, and decisions about gang positions.

Others allegedly committed or conspired to commit violent acts to preserve and expand the gang’s criminal operations, and to enhance their own gang status. Others allegedly trafficked drugs, committed robbery, and extorted money for the gang, and maintained firearms and ammunition, the FBI reported.

Others allegedly conspired to commit violence including murder and assault, the FBI stated.

Some of the drugs sold were methamphetamine, fentanyl heroin, cocaine, and phencyclidine (PCP).

The complaint also charges a 14th defendant for being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition.

The Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office will prosecute defendants charged with state crimes.

If convicted of the charges, most of the federal defendants face a statutory maximum of life in prison.