More than 100 suspects facing state and federal charges from five counties have been arrested in a large-scale, multi-jurisdiction operation that includes the seizure of firearms, stolen vehicles and narcotics, according to the Gilroy Police Department.
Thirty-six agencies are involved in “Operation Garlic Press”- with the Gilroy Police Department acting as a command post Friday morning – as arrests in Gilroy continue and could continue past the 2 p.m. press conference at Gilroy City Hall, 7351 Rosanna St., according to GPD Sgt. Chad Gallacinao.
The GPD partnered with the U.S. Department of Justice, the California Attorney General’s Office, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, the Santa Clara County District Attorney’s Office and the California Highway Patrol. The counties involved are Santa Clara, Monterey, San Benito, Santa Cruz and Alameda.
At the Gilroy Police Department at 8:30 a.m. Friday, two dozen law enforcement vehicles – along with several unmarked vehicles – were seen pulling in and out of the area on Hanna Street. SWAT members, U.S. Marshals, ATF agents, and police officers from Palo Alto, Morgan Hill, Los Altos were seen in the area, as was a Sunnyvale police armored vehicle.
Officers in tactical gear were going in and out of the two-story building throughout the morning.
No suspects were seen brought into the GPD, though Gallacinao said all suspects arrested today facing state charges will be transferred to Santa Clara County Jail in San Jose and suspects facing federal charges will be turned over to the U.S. Marshals.
Gallacinao would not comment on the type of drugs seized in the “long-term” and “undercover” operation, but did say it was not a marijuana bust. He said the operation began Wednesday.
Gallacinao said some of the activity that led to the sweep was gang-related, but declined to give anymore information until the scheduled press conference this afternoon.
Seventh Street is also closed between Hanna and Dowdy, as is Hanna Street between City Hall and the GPD. Resident still have access to the nearby Gilroy Senior Center, however.
Around 8:30 a.m. officers in tactical gear arrested a suspect at the Monterra Village apartments on the 800 block of Mantelli Drive.
About 10 law enforcement officers were also seen at an apartment complex in the 7700 block of Chestnut Street, where they said they “processing” the scene for evidence but didn’t offer any further details.
Back at the GPD, a man who lives on Seventh Street across from the building said he had no idea what was happening and received no “head’s up” that GPD would be busy today.
“I heard a racket this morning. I said ‘Holy mackerel, what’s going on?'” Torres said.
Sheriff’s officials in vans were parked near the man’s home, and a large Palo Alto police Mobile Emergency Operations Center resembling an RV was seen parked half a block from his driveway.
Speakers at the 2 p.m. press conference will include California Attorney General Kamala D. Harris, Santa Clara County District Attorney Jeffrey F. Rosen, First Assistant U.S. Attorney Brian Stretch, ATF Special Agent in Charge Stephen C. Herkins, GPD Chief Denise Turner and CHP Chief Keith Dittimus.
A webcast of the press conference can be viewed on Harris’ website : http://oag.ca.gov.
