89 people charged as result of multi-agency gang bust called "Operation Shock Collar"

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- Dozens of criminal street gang members were arrested and charged with crimes ranging from murder to drug trafficking and the smuggling of illegal guns as part of 'Operation Shock Collar'.

Friday, local and state leaders, including Attorney General Rob Bonta, shared the results of the months-long, multi-agency crackdown to dismantle factions of the Bulldog gang in parts of Fresno County.

New video shows SWAT members armed and ready at the doorstep of a Kerman home. Agents rush in and successfully bring out a known gang member in handcuffs.

"We are not just arresting individuals, we are disrupting entire criminal operations," says U.S. Attorney General Rob Bonta.

89 people, including alleged gang members and their associates, are now off the streets and behind bars.

The operation focused on rural parts of Fresno County. Those arrested are members of Huron Dog Life, Coalinga Dog Life, and San Joaquin Ruthless Perro, all cliques within the Bulldogs.

"This gang wasn't just tagging walls. They were trafficking guns, flooding the streets with dangerous drugs, smuggling drugs into jails, and sending orders out of jail," says Kim Sanchez, Assistant U.S. Attorney.

New images released show narcotics that were smuggled inside body cavities, and some packaged and distributed through holes made by inmates inside jailhouse walls.

Of those arrested, 38 will face federal charges, and 11 are facing conspiracy to commit murder. One for a murder dating back to 2017.

Officials showed a diagram outlining the vast extent of the criminal network.

At the top, ringleader Ignacio "Giddy" Sanchez, who officials say was calling the shots from inside a Salinas prison. Video taken on Thursday shows Sanchez being transported to Fresno for questioning.

"The criminal enterprise of these bulldog gang members reaches out as far as or down in other counties. They have access to Interstate 5 and other surrounding counties," says Fresno County Sheriff John Zanoni.

The bulldog gang has been around since the 80s. Law enforcement intelligence estimates there are about 6,000 - 10,000 members throughout Fresno County.

Officials say their recruits have only gotten younger. District Attorney Lisa Smittcamp says three children were arrested as part of this operation.

"You see that more gangs are involving juveniles in crime because the way that the legislature has acted the last 10 years makes it almost impossible for prosecutors at the state level to effectively prosecute juveniles," says Smittcamp.

Upwards of 550 law enforcement personnel took part in the effort. Pictures of four outstanding fugitives were shown to send a strong message that their work isn't done yet.

"To those criminal street gang members that haven't been targeted, are you next?" says Sheriff Zanoni.

This isn't an uncommon operation. Officials said they do about two of these a year, but the extent of how large it was makes this one unique.

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