Authorities find rocket launcher, pipe bombs during raid on Florida white supremacist gangs.
Nearly 40 members of two white supremacist gangs in Florida were arrested as the result of a massive drug trafficking sting, authorities announced this week.
The U.S. Attorney's Office for the Middle District of Florida announced Thursday that 39 members of the Unforgiven and United Aryan Brotherhood gangs were charged with various federal firearms and drug violations.
Authorities seized more than 100 illegal firearms, a rocket launcher and several pipe bombs as part of the raid, local ABC affiliate WFTS-Tampa Bay reported. Authorities also reportedly found several pounds of crystal meth and fentanyl.
The investigation, named "Operation Blackjack," lasted more than three years and included state and federal prosecutors, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the Pasco Sheriff's Office.
"In getting these 39 dangerous individuals off of the street and seizing guns and explosives that could have been used in violent acts, the community of Pasco County is a little safer," ATF Assistant Special Agent in Charge Craig Kailimai said, WFTS reported.
Authorities say the gangs mostly operate in and out of prisons.
The United States Attorney's Office's Violent Crimes and Narcotics Section will prosecute the cases.
The suspects are facing anywhere from two years to life in prison.
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