By The Porterville Recorder

Porterville police arrested more than 60 suspected Norteno gang members during a huge four-day suppression detail, according to a department news release.

Investigators from the Special Investigations Unit conducted more than 200 field interviews, probation compliance searches, five parole searches and 20 arrest warrants between Wednesday and Saturday.

The suspected gang members were arrested for suspicion committing of felony and misdemeanor crimes ranging from sales and transportation of methamphetamine to criminal street gang members being in possession of weapons.

The operation focused on different sets of the Norteno street gang. Membership in the different northern sets is the largest among Porterville’s street gangs, according to previous statistics.

Police estimate there is anywhere from 400 to 500 Nortenos in the greater Porterville area. They estimate the total gang membership in the area at around 1,000. Detectives from SIU were unavailable Tuesday for comment.

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