Crime & Safety

San Leandro Involved In Oakland-Centered Drug & Gun Bust

One warrant was served here according to Oakland Police.

 

Oakland Police Chief Howard A. Jordan, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Assistant Special Agent in Charge Gerald R. Bessette, and Oakland Police Lieutenant Tony Jones offered details of the 16 high-risk weapons and narcotics search warrants that were served last night.

The operation involved over 120 Oakland police officers, 150 FBI agents from all over the country plus the San Leandro, Hayward and Antioch police departments.

Find out what's happening in San Leandrowith free, real-time updates from Patch.

On Wednesday just after 8:00 pm, these authorities served 13 warrants in the Acorn neighborhood of West Oakland and 3 additional warrants in Hayward, San Leandro and Antioch.

The results were:

Find out what's happening in San Leandrowith free, real-time updates from Patch.

  • Five arrests (four adults and one juvenile)
  • Four firearms seized
  • An abundant amount of narcotics (crack cocaine, marijuana, heroin, and “robo” – guaifenesin) recovered.

OPD's Lt. Jones said the raid targeted the Acorn gang, which has been involved in many shootings and other acts of violence, both near its West Oakland turf and across town in East Oakland.          

Jones said authorities want to get the gang under control because people who live in and near the Acorn project "are afraid to go outside and walk in their neighborhood."

The Acorn gang has been the target of other law enforcement actions in the past, including a massive raid called "Operation Nutcrackers" that was carried out on June 17, 2008, by 400 officers from 17 different law enforcement agencies at 34 locations and resulted in the arrest of 54 suspects.

Oakland police Capt. Ersie Joyner said at that time that it would be "very difficult, if not impossible, for the gang to regain its former power in the wake of the raid.

Jones admitted Thursday that it's been "a challenge" to keep the
Acorn gang under control over the years but he added, "We have to be vigilant 
and stay on top of gangs."
 

Jones said the Acorn gang "hasn't always been a problem" and there
have been periods when there haven't been many shootings in the area
surrounding the housing project. 

Oakland's Chief Jordan thanked U.S. Attorney Melinda Haag and FBIA Assistant Special Agent in Charge Gerald Bessette.

“We want the community to know that we will look for every possible way to reduce violent crime in Oakland,” Jordan said. 

The Chief also thanked the members of the Acorn Neighborhood Crime Prevention Council and the Acorn community for their help.

Oakland Police officer Steve Valle coordinated the operation.

The investigation is ongoing.


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