FBI arrests 10 gang members in L.A.

LOS ANGELES, Feb. 18 (Xinhua) -- In cooperation with local police, FBI agents arrested 10 gang members in Los Angeles Monday as part of a year-long probe of gang-related drug trafficking.

The crackdown focused on drug-dealing gangs in eastern Los Angeles, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office.

"This is the fourth successful operation targeting street gangs in as many months," said Thomas O'Brien, the U.S. attorney in Los Angeles.

"We will continue to work with local authorities to go after the worst street gangs that traffic in narcotics and terrorize neighborhoods with their violence," he said without giving details.

The 10 people arrested are among 23 defendants charged in a 17-count indictment, accusing them of trafficking cocaine, crack cocaine and marijuana. The indictment, handed down by a federal grand jury last week, documents a series of drug deals, prosecutors said.

Besides the FBI, the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives were also involved in the crackdown.