US authorities announce arrest of 976 gang members

Nearly 1,000 gang members were arrested in the US after a major operation, federal authorities said Wednesday.

The operation arrested 976 people with ties to 239 gangs in 282 American cities, reported the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency (ICE).

The arrested were mostly Americans who were wanted for crimes including murder, rape and drug trafficking, authorities said. Many of the gangs had ties to Latin America.

Arrests took place in February and March as part of ICE`s anti-gang efforts.

"Criminal gangs inflict violence and fear upon our communities, and without the attention of law enforcement, these groups can spread like a cancer," said ICE Director Sarah Saldana in a statement.