A 10-month operation led by San Diego police culminated in 71 arrests in a case they said took down a network of criminals linked to white supremacist groups, authorities announced Tuesday.
Operation Red Horseman linked several of the suspects to drug trafficking, illegal arms sales, home invasion robberies, car thefts and other crimes, police said. Many of the suspects were detained on suspicion of drug and weapons related charges.
San Diego County Attorney Summer Stephan said during a news conference that the suspects have ties to white supremacist street gangs, adding “another level of public safety concern for law enforcement and our office.” .
Officials declined to specify which groups the suspects are allegedly connected to. Details, officials said, will be revealed as the cases are processed.
As part of the operation, police seized seven handguns and 530 rounds of ammunition, as well as 7 pounds of methamphetamine, 9 ounces of fentanyl powder, 6 ounces of heroin, 4 ounces of ketamine, and 1,000 counterfeit oxycodone pills. They also recovered 24 stolen vehicles and found an illegal butane honey oil lab.
“These are the drugs that are killing our San Diego citizens, these are weapons that are being used to harm our communities, and I am pleased to say that now these criminals are being brought to justice,” Mayor Todd Gloria said during the press conference.
Police Chief David Nisleit said the investigation began with complaints and tips about drug dealing at a home on Noah Way in North Clairemont. A records check revealed several service calls related to the home, including two overdose reports. One of the overdoses resulted in a death on December 2, 2021.
“This operation is yet another example of how law enforcement responds when the community calls for help,” Stephan said.
Nisleit added: “It’s just a lot of investigative work, but then again, it starts when the community comes to us.”
The investigation led to several arrests and 25 criminal charges in recent months, Stephan said. On Thursday, SWAT teams executed more search warrants and made additional arrests at six locations across the city, including Serra Mesa, Clairemont, Bankers Hill and Point Loma Heights.
Nisleit and Stephan said the criminal network operated so-called trap houses, or drug houses, in those locations.
Stephan said nearly 50 defendants are indicted in San Diego Superior Court. Others continue to be investigated by his office.
Although officials said the defendants are linked to white supremacist groups, the charges do not include conspiracy, and many of the defendants were indicted in separate cases. Stephan said the cases will be prosecuted by gang and narcotics prosecutors.
Many of the cases include drug charges. Officials said drug seizures during the operation will likely prevent overdoses.
“Only one of the defendants had 500 fentanyl pills,” Stephan said. “That is a recipe for death in our community.”
Other cases stem from violent crimes. In a burglary case, the assailant woke the victim at gunpoint, robbed and assaulted her, Stephan said.
Nisleit said the operation sent a message to criminals.
“If you are involved in criminal activity and you harm our community with violence, you can expect a knock on your door,” Nisleit said.
The investigation continues and more arrests are expected.
