66 Facing Federal Charges In Gang-Related Weapons And Drugs Bust

BOSTON (CBS) -- More than 60 gang members in Massachusetts are facing federal and state firearm and drug charges in a large weapons and drugs bust, United States District Attorney Carmen M. Ortiz announced Thursday.

More than 40 people have already been arrested and 75 firearms have also been seized. Some of the arrests and seizures occurred during an overnight raid that continued into Thursday morning.

Federal officials conducted a search in this East Boston building Thursday. (WBZ)

The arrests and weapon and drug seizures were a result of a 14-month investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives into the 18th Street gang. Officials then zeroed in on four other criminal street gangs: E Street Money, Orion Heights, and Boylston Street gang.

In total, 66 people from Boston, Brockton, Chelsea, and surrounding areas face federal and state drug and firearm trafficking charges.

More than 400 local, state and federal law enforcement members were involved in the sweep.