Officials announce biggest gang bust in San Mateo County history

SAN MATEO, Calif. (KGO) -- Law enforcement officials in San Mateo County announced the biggest gang bust in county history. More than a dozen accused gang members have been indicted for murder and other crimes.

San Mateo County District Attorney Steve Wagstaffe says this is the most massive case prosecuted by the district attorney's office.

Eleven defendants are being arraigned in district court, all of whom are part of a multi-agency investigation called "Operation Sunny Day."

Wagstaffe says "Operation Sunny Day" was named that because that term, sunny day, was what was used by the accused gang members when murders they had ordered, orchestrated or committed had been carried out.

The gangs identified by the district attorney are Sac Street, The Ville and The Taliban. He describes it as a gang war.

Last week, the grand jury returned three indictments charging 16 people for a series of crimes that included murder, attempted murder, illegal fire arms possession, conspiracy and drug trafficking.

"Of the 16 people, 11 of them are in custody in San Mateo County Jail right now. The other five are in custody in other jurisdictions and will be brought back to San Mateo County for this prosecution. Of the 16, nine of them are charged with capital murder," Wagstaffe said.

The investigation lasted 18 months and of the individuals charged, they range in age from 19 to 28 years old.

The district attorney said this young set of defendants is responsible for reeking violence across San Mateo County.

It took a grand jury of 17 two months to study evidence and return the indictments.