A nine-month multi-agency investigation dubbed 'Operation X-Force' has resulted in 34 arrests in Orange County, "that was meant to disrupt and dismantle some criminal gangs and drug trafficking organizations in our community," Orange County Sheriff John Mina said.
A feud between two rival gangs calling themselves Army and 438 has been responsible for several murders and more than 30 shootings in the area.
"We've been a little dismayed by maybe some in our community- even some media reports- that the folks involved in this activity were rappers and they were just part of a click," Mina said. "These are violent criminals involved in violent gang activity."
During Friday's news conference authorities also announced a third arrest in the shooting death of Tavyiah King- the 16 year old niece of Orlando City Commissioner Regina Hill. Investigators say it was Jeremiah Wood's gun that killed the teen when she got caught in the middle of a retaliatory shootout. Wood is facing first degree murder charges.
During the course of Operation X-Force- 15 guns were pulled off the street.
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