Woodland Gang Probe Nets 25+ Arrests in Northern CA

Woodland, California is reeling after a sweeping federal and local crackdown dismantled a sprawling network of drug traffickers and armed gang members tied to prison-based criminal enterprises. Early this morning, 69 coordinated searches erupted across Northern California, targeting safe houses, parolees’ residences, and known gang hubs. The operation, led by the FBI and Woodland Police, resulted in the arrest of 18 federal defendants named in seven federal indictments and complaints — with over 10 more apprehended on state charges.

The investigation, which began in spring 2016, exposed a tightly organized criminal syndicate operating from Yolo County and reaching into nine other counties: Sacramento, Sutter, Colusa, Yuba, Del Norte, Solano, Fresno, Santa Clara, and Siskiyou. Authorities say the group used encrypted social media platforms — including Snapchat, Facebook, and Instagram — to coordinate the sale of cocaine, methamphetamine, and prescription narcotics. In multiple instances, incarcerated gang leaders allegedly directed associates on the outside to smuggle drugs into state prisons and distribute drugs on the streets.

Among the seized evidence: weapons, narcotics, and digital communications showing real-time coordination between inmates and street-level operatives. Federal prosecutors unsealed six indictments and one criminal complaint today, detailing charges ranging from drug trafficking and firearms offenses to conspiracy and interstate racketeering. Three related criminal complaints were simultaneously filed in the Eastern District of California, the Western District of Pennsylvania, and the District of Oregon, signaling the network’s cross-jurisdictional reach.

“Today’s operation is the result of a months-long endeavor involving federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies to disrupt coordinated criminal activity that, although centered in Yolo County, spread to several other Northern California counties,” said U.S. Attorney McGregor W. Scott. “This operation demonstrates how federal law enforcement can join forces with our state and local partners to make our communities safer and stop illegal guns and drugs from flooding our streets.”

FBI Special Agent in Charge Sean Ragan emphasized the toll of gang and drug violence on local communities. “The FBI is committed to joining forces with our state and local partners to effectively combat the gang and drug-related violence that plagues our communities,” Ragan said. “Our shared goal is stopping gang violence, getting drugs and weapons off the streets, and helping to bring justice to the victims of crimes committed in our communities.”

California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation Secretary Scott Kernan confirmed the investigation targeted prison gang activity spilling into neighborhoods and schools. “Our department is committed to putting a stop to illegal activities conducted by prison gangs in our neighborhoods, schools and communities to further their criminal organizations and instill fear in people,” Kernan said. The operation underscores a growing trend of interagency cooperation aimed at dismantling the supply chains fueling violence and addiction across Northern California.