41 people arrested during 'Operation Red Rooster' in Merced, DOJ says | YourCentralValley.com

MERCED, Calif. (KSEE/KGPE) – More than 40 people were arrested and several pounds of narcotics as well as numerous firearms were seized following Operation Red Rooster focused on a criminal street gang in Merced, announced the California Department of Justice.

As a result of the operation, the DOJ says more than 60 pounds of narcotics were seized and 27 weapons were confiscated.

The investigation began in 2021 after the Livingston Police Department investigated a homicide and attempted homicide related to a large criminal street gang.

The DOJ says one of the shooters was arrested but the other remained at large.

As the investigation has grown, so has the number of agencies involved in the operation.

Officers and officials from the California DOJ, Livingston Police Department, Merced County Sheriff, Merced Police Department and the U.S. Attorney's Office all joined the fray.

“Operation Red Rooster was a success thanks to the hard work of many dedicated law enforcement partners,” said Attorney General Rob Bonta. “Our work to tackle the organized criminal street gang crisis saves lives and makes communities safer – but there is still more to do. We will not rest until California’s communities are free of gang activity, including here in the Central Valley.”

The DOJ says the operation lasted approximately 18 months and ended Thursday morning with the arrest of 41 suspects accused of homicide, attempted homicide, firearms trafficking and drug trafficking with strengthening of gangs.