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Southern California Drug-Gang Crackdown Nets 21 Arrests

SAN BERNARDINO (AP) — Authorities say they've arrested nearly two dozen people in a crackdown on a Southern California gang believed to be involved in methamphetamine and heroin trafficking.

The U.S. Attorney's Office says the 21 people taken into custody Thursday are believed to be members or associates of San Bernardino's largest gang, West Side Verdugo, which authorities say has ties to the Mexican Mafia prison gang.

All are named in a federal drug conspiracy and distribution indictment unsealed Thursday. An additional 22 people named in the indictment are in custody, and nine men and women remain at large.

All are facing at least 10 years in prison if convicted.

(© Copyright 2014 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

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