Law enforcement officers in a Central Coast city hit by a wave of gang related violence during the last few months conducted a series of raids Thursday, taking more than 50 people into custody.
15 people were arrested, and 40 detained inside and outside of Santa Maria on a variety of charges as a number of search warrants were served. Multiple agencies were involved in what was called “Operation Matador.”
Some of those who were wanted for outstanding warrants were turned over to federal immigration officials. Santa Maria had more than a dozen murders in the last year, many with gang connections.