On Wednesday, Toledo Police announced that a yearlong partnership with the ATF resulted in the indictments of over a half dozen gang members.
11 of the 16 alleged "Beehive" gang members, a group affiliated with the CrIpts gang, were apprehended in the hours before a 1 p.m. Press conference.
All of those charged face either federal or state indictments for counts including firearm, gang and drug violations.
"The U.S. District grand jury indicted 10 of these gang members on various firearm and drug charges...the state of Ohio charged the additional 6 with various gang charges, drug charges and firearm charges," Toledo Police Chief Derrick Diggs said.
Officials said a determination on which suspects would face charges in which court was determined by the crimes they are accused of and the evidence collected.
"This gang has been involved in fights, drive by shootings and homicides over the past several years," Chief Diggs described of the "beehive" gang members indicted in the case.
While officials would not reveal the specifics of those alleged crimes they did say two murders had been linked to the group facing charges.
"Our focus is not to tolerate any kind of firearms violence, in any community, and particularly here in Toledo," Robin Shoemaker of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms (ATF) said.
Along with the 30 firearms seized, during the operation, 90 grams of narcotics including marijuana and crack cocaine were also taken off the streets.
Officials say with the suspects and contraband now out of Toledo neighborhoods, residents can now rest a bit easier.
"You are taking shooters off the streets ... those neighborhoods will be safer, Toledo Police Officer Bill Noon said.
Investigators say the Bee Hive gang operates out of the North/Central part of the city in neighborhoods near the intersection of Franklin & Bancroft.
Toledo Police added that not all of the gang's members are facing charges in this case.
