Merced Gang Violence Suppression Unit Recovers 78 Firearms, 3,000 Fentanyl Pills, and Nearly 12 Pounds of Narcotics in 2023

Details: Last Updated: Sunday, 27 August 2023 01:36; Published: Sunday, 27 August 2023 06:31

Merced Gang & Narcotic Investigations

August 27, 2023 - Merced Police Department officials report that they established the Gang Violence Suppression Unit in 1990. This unit was created to help target an increase in gang related crime within the City and County of Merced.

The GVSU is currently comprised of 4 Officers and 1 Sergeant. They are tasked with several duties including following up on a variety of crimes reported by citizens in the community. They proactively patrol known gang areas, they gather intelligence on local gangs, and they testify as gang experts in court. The GVSU works with many other agencies within the central valley to solve and stop many of these crimes.

The GVSU has been assigned to follow up on approximately 180 cases in 2023. Many of these cases are violent crimes such as robberies, car jackings, shootings and assaults. In 2023 the GVSU has served nearly 80 search warrants resulting in the arrest of 130 suspects. These searches have allowed officers to recover 78 firearms, approximately 3,000 Fentanyl pills and nearly 12 pounds of various narcotics.

The officers in the GVSU have relied upon the help from citizens in our community to solve many of these crimes. We are asking if you have any information to provide regarding gang activity, illegal firearms possession or sales, or the sales of narcotics, please notify the Merced Police Department at any of the following options.

MPD gang
Sergeant Salyers at 209-388-7771 or by email at SalyersJ@CityofMerced.org.