DENVER -- Law enforcement authorities arrested more than 200 suspected members and associates of MS-13 during a recent six-week operation targeting the violent street gang across the U.S., the Department of Homeland Security announced Thursday.
Colorado was part of those arrests.
Operation Raging Bull was started 18 months ago by the Department of Homeland Security along with Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
The operation started in El Salvador, where the gang originated in, with 53 arrests.
According to Homeland Security, 214 arrests were made in the United States.
“93 of those arrested had federal or state charges,” said Derek Benner, HSI Deputy Exuctive Associate Director. “The remainder 121 were arrested on administrative immigration violations.”
Colorado had two MS-13 related arrests.
“In Denver, Colorado, there was an arrest of a MS-13 gang member and citizen of El Salvador who was wanted on an outstanding warrant of DUI,” Benner said. “There were three machetes found in his vehicle.”
The other arrest happened in Fort Morgan this past week.
Fort Morgan Sherrif’s Office said Angel Ramos was arrested for attempted murder and kidnapping.
Sherriff’s said Ramos stabbed a woman and then ran over her leg after she jumped out of a moving vehicle.
Ramos was arrested by U-S Marshal’s with the help of ICE in Fort Collins.
"Operation Raging Bull" was carried out in two parts. The first phase started in September and resulted in the arrests of 53 suspected MS-13 members in El Salvador, where most of its members come from.
The second phase took place between October 8 and November 11, in the U.S., during which an additional 214 suspected gang members were arrested, the Department of Homeland Security announced Wednesday.
Attorney General Jeff Sessions has described MS-13 as "one of the most dangerous criminal organizations in the United States today."