A sweeping federal and state law enforcement operation has significantly disrupted the operations of the Rancho San Pedro (RSP) street gang in the Los Angeles harbor area, targeting its leadership, including a man alleged to be directing the gang from a California state prison cell. Salvatore Nania, serving a life sentence for murder, is accused of using contraband cell phones to orchestrate drug trafficking, illegal weapons possession, and extortion rackets on behalf of the notorious Mexican Mafia.
Massive Operation Targets Long-Standing Gang
The coordinated takedown, involving hundreds of personnel from the FBI, Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD), Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), and other federal, state, and local agencies, culminated a multi-year investigation. Authorities served federal and state arrest and search warrants across San Pedro, leading to the arrest of 13 individuals. The charges filed include racketeering under the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act, conspiracy to distribute controlled substances, and weapons violations. Law enforcement officials hailed the operation as a major blow to one of the most active and violent gangs in Southern California.
Rancho San Pedro Gang: Decades of Criminal Activity
The Rancho San Pedro gang, with roots dating back to the 1970s, has been a persistent presence in the San Pedro community. The gang is a multi-generational organization comprising an estimated 500 to 600 documented members and numerous associates, divided into approximately six distinct cliques, including female crews. RSP is known for its extensive involvement in drug dealing, firearms trafficking, and violent crimes, which have plagued the Los Angeles harbor area for decades. Authorities have also pursued a gang injunction and nuisance abatement actions against locations associated with the gang’s illegal activities.
Prison-Based Command and Mexican Mafia Influence
Central to the investigation is Salvatore Nania, who, despite serving a life sentence since 1997 for murder, allegedly maintained control over the RSP gang’s street operations. Law enforcement officials claim Nania utilized smuggled cell phones to communicate with and direct lower-level gang members, assigning tasks related to drug distribution and the collection of protection money. Nania, who has been caught with contraband phones multiple times, has denied being an associate of the Mexican Mafia. However, authorities assert that the RSP gang operates under the direction and pays tribute to the powerful prison gang, which exerts significant influence over Hispanic street gangs throughout Southern California. The Mexican Mafia, also known as La Eme, is a highly secretive and violent organization that profits from drug trafficking, extortion, and other illicit activities, dictating terms to street gangs in exchange for protection and operational freedom.
A Strategic Blow to Organized Crime
Officials emphasized the significance of this operation in dismantling the upper echelon of the RSP gang and its command structure. “Today’s actions will cause a significant setback to Rancho San Pedro and their Mexican Mafia overlords and lead to safer streets for San Pedro residents,” stated Akil Davis, Assistant Director in Charge of the FBI’s Los Angeles Field Office. The confiscated evidence included a significant quantity of illegal firearms, such as machine guns and assault-style weapons, underscoring the violent nature of the gang’s operations. The Los Angeles Police Department highlighted the collaborative effort, with Chief Jim McDonnell praising the methodical case-building by investigators.
Ongoing Efforts for Safer Communities
The arrests mark a critical step in the ongoing fight against organized crime in Los Angeles. While Nania and his alleged associates face serious federal and state charges, the investigation underscores the persistent challenge posed by prison-based criminal enterprises. Law enforcement remains committed to dismantling such organizations and restoring safety to communities affected by gang violence. This extensive operation served as a key feature in the broader strategy to combat sophisticated criminal networks operating both within and beyond prison walls in the Los Angeles area.
