61 motorcycle gang members arrested

MONTEBELLO (KABC) -- Dozens of members of an outlaw motorcycle gang were arrested Tuesday morning in a multi-state bust.

The bust of members of the Mongols Motorcycle Gang comes after a three-year investigation known as Operation Black Rain. Officials say with the raid they have been able to dismantle at the hierarchy of the gang.

So far they have counted 46 alleged members in custody in Montebello, including the top leaders Ruben Cavazos and his son Ruben Jr. The two were taken into custody in West Covina.

The members of the Mongols gang were arrested under a federal racketeering indictment that included charges of murder, attempted murder, assault, as well as gun and drug violations.

The morning raid in cities across the Southland was the culmination of a three-year undercover investigation, where several ATF agents posed as members of the gang. The agents developed close ties to suspects over a period of several years, ultimately resulting in enough evidence to get search and arrest warrants.

The ATF calls the operation its biggest takedown saying it's a huge return on the investment made by its undercover agents.

"Four years is a long time to live a duel identity. It was a very stressful environment living that duel life not only for the undercovers but for their families. But again we're very happy with the accomplishments here today. We believe we cut the head off a snake. And the Mongols are a gang, you know, they are a criminal-syndicate on wheels ," said Special Agent Thomas Mangan from the ATF.

The local suspects are being processed at the Montebello Police Department.

The Mongols have about 600 members spread out across the country, a majority living in the Los Angeles area. There are agents across the country serving search and arrest warrants in states like Nevada, Colorado, Washington, Oregon and Ohio.

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