The DEA and its partner agencies dismantled an MS-13 cell in Nashville, Tennessee, after a nine month investigation. On Tuesday authorities executed search warrants across Nashville, Tennessee, California, and Oklahoma that led to the arrest of at least 17 MS-13 members and their associates.
The search warrants in Nashville resulted in agents seizing a variety of illicit items including marijuana, counterfeit pills, cocaine, THC vapes, liquid psilocybin, and multiple firearms. Among the weapons taken were assault rifles.
MS-13 is a violent gang that originated in Los Angeles. According to the DEA it is deeply involved in drug trafficking and violent crime across the United States. Terry Cole, the DEA Administrator, said that residents of Nashville are safer now that dangerous individuals will be held accountable for their actions.
The operation was a joint effort. Among the many agencies involved were the FBI, the U.S. Marshals Service, the Tennessee Highway Patrol, and the Metro Nashville Police Department. Authorities emphasized that this was not the last enforcement action of this kind and that more operations will follow until MS-13 can no longer inflict harm on communities.