Attorney General Bonta, Fresno-Area Law Enforcement Officials Announce 34 Arrests in Operation “Broken Bonds”

FRESNO — California Attorney General Rob Bonta, along with federal, state, and local law enforcement partners, today announced the arrests of 34 suspects as well as the seizure of 64 illegal weapons ammunition, and illicit drugs that included fentanyl, as part of a multiagency operation targeting a criminal street gang in Fresno County. Operation “Broken Bonds” occurred yesterday, May 25, 2023, and targeted the Varrio Colonia Parlier Nortenos criminal street gang, who are alleged to be responsible for an increase in violence, including homicides, and illegal firearms in the Fresno area, specifically the cities of Reedley and Parlier. Additionally, the group is accused of making threats to local law enforcement, including a 2022 incident involving arson against a Parlier Police Department vehicle. The investigation was conducted by the Fresno County Multi-Agency Gang Enforcement Consortium (MAGEC) task force; Fresno County Sheriff’s Office; Federal Bureau of Investigation; U.S. Attorney’s Office, Eastern District of California; Fresno County District Attorney’s Office; Fresno Police Department; California Highway Patrol; and the California Department of Justice, Bureau of Investigation, High Impact Investigation Team (HIIT). 

“Today’s announcement is a result of strong partnerships by law enforcement agencies in the Fresno area, and throughout our state, to address violence and criminal enterprises,” said Attorney General Bonta. “This operation sends a strong message that criminal activity targeting our communities and threatening public servants protecting Californians will not be tolerated. I want to thank the work of our local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies for their collaboration in making Fresno County a safer place. Protecting public safety is our highest priority and we won’t rest until the job is done.”

The operation concludes an investigation that began in 2021. As part of yesterday’s operation, the agencies seized 64 guns, including ghost guns, AR-style rifles, semi-automatic handguns; extended magazines, ammunition, and body armor; illicit drugs including fentanyl, methamphetamine, cocaine; and approximately $26,509 in currency. Additionally, the investigation prevented at least four crimes, including a mass shooting.

As both state and federal search warrants, and arrests warrants were issued as part of the operation, the Fresno County District Attorney’s Office and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of California will be prosecuting the case. The suspects face charges ranging from homicide, conspiracy to commit homicide, home invasion, armed robbery, carjacking, burglary, illegal weapons possession, narcotics sales, transportation of narcotics, extortion, and auto theft. 

The High Impact Investigation Team (HIIT) is a California Department of Justice, Bureau of Investigation-led multiagency task force, federally funded through the national High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) program. It is comprised of members from the California Department of Justice, California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation-Special Services Unit,  Fresno County Sheriff's Office, Madera County Sheriff’s Office, Kings County Sheriff’s Office, Tulare County Sheriff’s Office, Fresno Police Department, Fresno County District Attorney's Office, California Highway Patrol, and Federal Bureau of Investigation. As part of DOJ’s task force program, the participating agencies of HIIT work in collaboration to combat drug trafficking organizations, violent career criminals and gangs. These unique and essential teams use the latest technology and advanced investigative techniques and work alongside local, state, and federal law enforcement to enhance investigations into violent criminals and organized crime throughout the state.

It is important to note that a criminal complaint contains charges that are only allegations against a person. Every defendant is presumed innocent unless or until proven guilty.

The number one job of the DOJ is to protect the public’s safety. Attorney General Bonta has worked with local, state, and federal partners to: 

• End the fentanyl crisis through efforts with state and local law partners, securing ongoing funding for DOJ fentanyl enforcement, operations to remove fentanyl from California communities including in Placer and Merced Counties, and legal actions to hold manufacturers and distributors accountable;
• Prevent gun violence through the Office of Gun Violence Prevention, operations to get guns out of the hands of prohibited persons; and legislation to strengthen California laws and the hold the firearm industry accountable;
• Take down human trafficking rings in San Diego, Kings County, and throughout California, and launching Human Trafficking and Sexual Predator Apprehension Teams within the DOJ;
• Combat retail theft by securing felony sentencing in one of the largest organized retail theft operations ever busted in California history, announcing felony charges against members of a statewide organized retail theft ring, filing charges in operations involving thefts of Home Depot, Apple stores, and Microsoft, and by bringing law enforcement and retailers together to address this problem head-on;
• Dismantle gangs and protect neighborhoods in Fresno, Riverside, Sacramento,  San Bernardino, Stockton, Visalia, Yuba City, and as announced today, in Fresno County;
• Stop illegal gambling operations including in Santa Ana, through the Bureau of Gambling Control;
• Work together with the community to find public safety solutions in Stockton and San Diego; and
• Protect elders from abuse and neglect by prosecuting bad actors who steal, defraud, or harm and abuse our elders.  

The California Department of Justice is hiring. Visit oag.ca.gov/careers to view available positions and learn how you can help DOJ protect the health, well-being, and public safety of Californians.