VENTURA, Calif. (AP) -- Twenty-seven people have been indicted by a Ventura County grand jury in a Mexican Mafia street gang extortion case.
Senior Deputy District Attorney Joann Roth says the 35-count felony indictments unsealed Tuesday name 25 adults and two juveniles on charges ranging from extortion to robbery, assault and drug offenses.
The crimes occurred during a five-month period ending this month.
Prosecutors say prison-based Mexican Mafia gang leaders were involved in controlling the street drug activities of local gangs.
Twenty of the defendants are in custody and six remain fugitives.
During the arrests, authorities seized heroin, methamphetamines and cocaine as well as 32 weapons, including assault rifles.
