WASHINGTON — A sweeping federal crackdown targeting violent street gangs across 17 states resulted in 2,347 arrests early Tuesday morning, in what authorities are describing as one of the largest coordinated law enforcement operations in recent U.S. history.

The raids began shortly before 7 a.m., as teams of federal agents and local officers executed warrants in cities stretching from the East Coast to the Southwest. According to officials briefed on the operation, the initiative was initially designed as a nationwide effort to dismantle organized criminal networks involved in drug trafficking, firearms distribution and racketeering.

But investigators say the probe widened dramatically after evidence allegedly surfaced linking several law enforcement officers to the very gangs under investigation.

Allegations of Corruption

Federal authorities claim that during the course of the operation, agents uncovered payroll records, encrypted communications and financial ledgers suggesting that some sworn officers — including detectives, patrol personnel and even internal affairs investigators — may have provided protection or sensitive information to criminal organizations.

Several officers are now facing potential federal charges including racketeering conspiracy, obstruction of justice and evidence tampering, according to preliminary court filings reviewed by reporters. Officials declined to specify how many of the 2,347 individuals arrested were active law enforcement personnel, citing the ongoing nature of the investigation.

If confirmed, legal experts say the case could rank among the largest public corruption investigations in U.S. history.

Evidence Seized

Authorities reported seizing hundreds of firearms, large quantities of narcotics and millions of dollars in cash and digital assets. Investigators are also said to be reviewing previously deleted body camera footage and electronic communications that were allegedly recovered through forensic analysis.

Warehouses in multiple states have been designated to catalog and process the volume of evidence collected during the coordinated raids.

Federal Response

In a brief statement, federal officials emphasized that the operation reflects a commitment to accountability at every level.

“No one is above the law,” a senior federal law enforcement official said. “If individuals entrusted with public safety violate that trust, they will be held responsible.”

Independent oversight groups have called for transparency as the investigation continues, noting that cases involving alleged misconduct within law enforcement can erode public confidence if not handled swiftly and openly.

The arrests mark only the first phase of what authorities say may be a months-long legal process involving grand jury proceedings and additional indictments.

For now, the scale of the operation — and the scope of the alleged corruption — has sent shockwaves through communities nationwide, raising difficult questions about oversight, accountability and trust within the criminal justice system.