PHOENIX - More than a dozen people were arrested as authorities raided urban-style gangs in rural Pinal County.
Detective Edward McNeill of the Arizona Department of Public Safety said Thursday's crackdown was prompted by a frenzy of gang violence that resulted in five murders, 27 drive-by shootings, 19 people wounded by gunfire and two stabbings since September 2006.
Officers rounded up 18 people on charges of narcotics and weapons violations, robbery and other charges during a search of nine residences of gang suspects.
The sweep included officers from nearly a dozen agencies supported by armored vehicles and air reconnaissance.
An estimated 60 members and associates from the Crips and Bloods gangs operate in Casa Grande, Coolidge and Eloy, authorities said.
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