Nearly 200 arrests made, 1,300 guns confiscated as Orange County, Orlando work to crack down on gang violence

ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — Nearly 200 arrests have now been connected to a recent crackdown on a gang war in Orange County and Orlando.

9 Investigates began reporting on the violence back in July.

READ: Orange County mayor launches task force to tackle recent gang violence in Pine Hills

A majority of the cases are still moving through the court system.

Some of the people arrested are still sitting in the county jail unable to post bond, while others have bonded out and in some cases prosecutors decided there simply wasn’t enough evidence to file criminal charges.

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Officials said the Orange County gang unit has made nearly 200 arrests since it created a task force working with the FBI, Orlando Police, and the state attorney. The task force is working to reduce the violence sparked by a gang feud playing out over social media and through rap videos, according to Orlando police and the Orange County Sheriff’s office.

“Since the operation started, we haven’t had any gang-related homicides,” Sheriff John Mina said. “There’s been a couple of shootings that may have been gang-related, but it does seem like our efforts are working.

Read: Orange County leaders push for end to gang violence as gun-related arrests continue

In addition to the arrests, the county gang unit alone has confiscated more than 1,300 guns.

Mina said despite the gang activity this year, overall crime is down 16%.