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This past Thursday saw the culmination of an extensive operation named Operation Gangster’s Paradise, led by FBI Director Kash Patel. The operation proved to be a significant blow to the notorious La Eme, known as the “gang of gangs,” as it resulted in the arrest of at least 30 of its members.
FBI Director Patel commented on the operation, highlighting its success, though he did not provide specific details about the immigration status of those apprehended. This omission leaves room for speculation, but it suggests a potentially complex background among the detained individuals.
A report from the New York Post provides additional insights into the operation, although there seems to be a slight discrepancy in the numbers. Where Director Patel noted the arrests of 30 individuals, the Post refers to 43, indicating that at the very least, 30 raids were conducted as part of the operation.
Alleged murderers, drug dealers, and racketeers all taken down.
This group is also known as “La Eme,” the “gang of gangs,” known…
— FBI Director Kash Patel (@FBIDirectorKash) April 23, 2026
Director Patel writes:
@FBILosAngeles executed 30 pre-dawn raids arresting 30 alleged members of the Mexican Mafia in Southern California.
Alleged murderers, drug dealers, and racketeers all taken down.
This group is also known as “La Eme,” the “gang of gangs,” known to control nearly every Hispanic street gang in the California region.
Well done to our agents, great partners and teams who executed brilliantly.
This @FBI continues to break violent gang operations all over the country.
The immigration status of any of those arrested is not mentioned, although we may very well take a pretty good guess.
A New York Post exclusive has some more details:
The arrests targeted alleged murders, drug dealers and racketeers taken in by FBI agents at residences in and around the city of Santa Ana.
The California Post has had front-row seats to SoCal gang raids in recent weeks, witnessing the FBI take down the 18th Street “supergang” in March as well as a major identity theft bust in Hollywood.
“This morning, we executed operation “Gangsters Paradise. We’ve indicted forty members and associates of the Mexican Mafia, who is the most powerful, prolific gang that operates out of state prisons,” said L.A.’s top federal prosecutor, Bill Essayli.
“They control and operate all the Hispanic street gangs out in the neighborhoods,” he added.
Federal agents working with local police arrested 43 suspects in all, confiscated firearms and seized illegal drugs, conducting 30 raids mostly in Orange County.
Note that Director Patel’s post mentioned 30 arrests, instead of 43, but at minimum, there were 30 raids.