Major Youth Gang Bust in Los Angeles

[From article]
Most of those arrested were among 72 defendants named in a federal racketeering indictment which alleges their involvement in robberies, murders, extortion, witness intimidation and drug trafficking.
The suspects are alleged to have been involved in dealing drugs including PCP, methamphetamine, ecstasy, cocaine and crack cocaine, and cannabis.
U.S. Attorney André Birotte Jr said: 'Criminal street gangs make their livelihood by ruthlessly preying on the innocent people that live in the neighborhoods they claim as territory.
'What makes the conduct of this gang particularly insidious is not only the violent crimes alleged but also the exploitation of Skid Row drug users who are already living in difficult circumstances.'
[. . .]
The gang formed in the 1970s to confront rival street gangs, the FBI said, but had since grown into an organised crime cartel 'that conducts annual meetings and enforces a strict set of rules.'
[. . .]
The Crips are an almost exclusively African-American gang founded in South Central LA in 1969 by Raymond Washington and Stanley 'Tookie' Williams. These days it operates as a loosely connected network of individual street gangs.
Members of the Crips had been known for their use of the colour blue in their clothing, and their bitter rivalry with the Bloods, a rival gang identifiable by the colour red.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2661149/Dozens-members-notorious-LA-street-gang-busted-1-300-FBI-agents-LAPD-officers.html

Dozens of members from notorious LA street gang are busted by 1,300 FBI agents and LAPD officers
Bust focused on Five Deuce Broadway Gangster Crips in South Los Angeles
It comes after a three-year grand jury probe led to 112-charge indictment
Suspects face at least 10 years if convicted. Some face life without parole
By DAMIEN GAYLE
Daily Mail (UK)
PUBLISHED: 03:45 EST, 18 June 2014 | UPDATED: 10:54 EST, 18 June 2014