Feds bust 15 gang members in dc metro sweep, seizes firearm

WASHINGTON, D.C. — A coordinated federal operation in the Washington, D.C. metro area led to the arrest of 15 suspected gang members, including affiliates of the transnational gangs TdA and MS-13, according to U.S. Border Patrol officials.

Photo: feds bust 15 gang members in dc metro sweep, seizes firearm

The operation, conducted by the U.S. Border Patrol Special Operations Group-BORTAC and the USBP National Gang Unit, was carried out in conjunction with the FBI and Homeland Security Investigations. Authorities said the arrests targeted individuals allegedly involved in active criminal activity.

Key Points

15 suspected gang members arrested in federal sweep in Washington, D.C. metro area.
Operation involved USBP BORTAC, National Gang Unit, FBI, and Homeland Security Investigations.
Firearm recovered; suspects include 14 TdA members and one MS-13 affiliate.

According to Chief Michael W. Banks, head of the U.S. Border Patrol, the enforcement action resulted in the apprehension of 14 members of TdA and one MS-13 member. A firearm was also recovered during the operation.

No additional details regarding the nature of the alleged criminal activity or the identities of the individuals taken into custody were immediately released.

Federal officials have not disclosed the exact location within the D.C. metro area where the arrests occurred or whether any charges have been formally filed.

The arrests are part of ongoing efforts by federal law enforcement to disrupt gang operations and criminal networks believed to be operating across state and national borders.

Phil Stilton Latest posts

Phil Stilton is the Editor and Publisher of Shore News Network, an independent digital newsroom providing original reporting on New Jersey, national news, government, public policy, public safety, courts, and community affairs.

As founder of the publication, Stilton leads editorial strategy, investigative reporting, and daily newsroom operations while overseeing coverage that reaches millions of readers annually.

With extensive experience covering municipal government, county government, state legislatures, elections, law enforcement, emergency management, and public records, Stilton specializes in translating complex government actions into clear, factual reporting. His work frequently relies on primary source documents, including court filings, legislation, public meeting records, election finance disclosures, government databases, police reports, and Freedom of Information and Open Public Records Act (OPRA) requests. He has reported extensively on local government accountability, taxpayer spending, campaign finance, public corruption investigations, infrastructure, public safety, and the policies affecting New Jersey residents.

Under Stilton's editorial leadership, Shore News Network has grown into one of New Jersey's largest independent digital news organizations, publishing thousands of original news articles each year while providing breaking news coverage, investigative reporting, and analysis across state and local government. The publication's reporting is routinely sourced from official government agencies, public officials, court records, and firsthand documentation, with a commitment to transparency, attribution, corrections when warranted, and clearly distinguishing factual reporting from opinion.

Stilton's journalism follows established newsroom standards emphasizing accuracy, verification, fairness, and accountability. Every effort is made to verify information through official records and multiple reliable sources before publication. His reporting is intended to provide readers with timely, well-documented information that helps them understand the issues affecting their communities, while maintaining editorial independence from political parties, government agencies, advocacy organizations, and commercial interests.

Readers can submit story tips, corrections, public records, or media inquiries through the official Shore News Network website or its verified social media channels. Shore News Network welcomes corrections and updates when new information becomes available as part of its ongoing commitment to accurate and transparent journalism.