Officials in Will County conduct sweep targeting gangs

JOLIET, Ill. (AP) - Authorities say they've made several arrests, seized 31 illegal guns and more than 200 grams of cocaine in Will County in an operation targeting area street gangs.

In a news release, the county's state's attorney's office says more than 100 law enforcement officials from local and federal agencies conducted a sweep on Tuesday. Twelve people who were arrested or already in jail were booked on charges such as illegal sale of firearms and dealing illegal drugs. They have issued arrest warrants for four others.

Will County State's Attorney James Glasgow says such operations that involved Joliet's police department, the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and other agencies greatly expands law enforcement's ability to "diffuse gang activity while taking illegal weapons and narcotics off the streets."