Nettles said the investigation targeted the Bloods street gang. Federal prosecutors unsealed a 134-count racketeering indictment and announced that about 23 people were under arrest.
Some of the people were arrested Tuesday after the indictment charged members and associates of the United Blood Nation, also called the Bloods Street Gang.
They are charged with various violations of federal law, including racketeering conspiracy, narcotics violations, firearms violations, interstate prostitution and sex trafficking.
Getting cooperation has been no easy feat for investigators. The indictment shows the rules are: no snitching.
"They also take steps in their organization to weed out people who would turn, who would rat on them," said J.D. Rowell from the U.S. Attorney's Office.
Investigators made the arrests on the streets of Columbia, after years of digging and researching the gang. They say the local members are behind robberies, sex trafficking, kidnapping and murders.
The indictment says the Bloods started in a New York prison in the 1970's and the gang made its way south to Carolina.
Midlands law enforcement agencies stood together Wednesday saying they infiltrated the gang, and the problem is real. "I'm asked every day in meetings, 'Do we have gangs in Columbia?' and I think here's your absolute answer - yes!" said Columbia Police Chief Randy Scott.
Five of the defendants were already in custody. Nettles said fugitive teams are looking for nine more.
Prosecutors say the lead defendant, David Jenkins, was arrested in the Los Angeles area. Jenkins is a Columbia area native, but was living in Huntington Beach, CA.
Investigators say all of the others accused in the indictment are either residents of the Columbia area, or from here.
Among those indicted on the racketeering count:
David Jenkins, a/k/a Arma G, a/k/a Dread
Titus Bowman, a/k/a TI
Torrean Sims, a/k/a Slim, a/k/a Arsonist
Andre Cummings, a/k/a Dre
Craig Alston, a/k/a CK
Darrell Alston, a/k/a Hell Rell
Nicholas Wright, a/k/a Tater Head
Stewart Stroman, a/k/a Stew
Brandon Hawkins, Sr., a/k/a Shotgun, a/k/a Gun
Steven Bradley, a/k/a Red Boy
Nathaniel Farmer, a/k/a Gucci
Davonte Lane, a/k/a Lil D,
Tashonda Parker, a/k/a Big Mama, a/k/a Big Mama Blood
Jarius Jones, a/k/a Buck
Bernard Breeland, Jr., a/k/a Bneezy
Calvin Hall, a/k/a Kebo
Kenneth Cottoy, a/k/a Fish, a/k/a Koppo, a/k/a Kapone
Edmond Levy, Jr., a/k/a Southside
Alex Anderson, a/k/a Black
Antwain Brisbon, a/k/a Tweeze, a/k/a Twan G
Shantane Simmons, a/k/a Shantane L. Craft
Odell Martin, Jr., a/k/a Teazy
Karish Brown, a/k/a TB
James London, a/k/a Prince, a/k/a Rockaroni
Michael Taylor, a/k/a Puncho
Shonta Harrison, a/k/a Ta
Tameka Smith, a/k/a Meka
Christen Spencer
Joshua Kitt, a/k/a Metro
Tyrone Lewis, a/k/a Ty Ty
Michael Long, a/k/a Killer
Frank Henderson III
Hassaan Brown a/k/a Hossy
Degregory Reaves a/k/a Junior
Damien Antonio Burgess
Daion Bowers and Rhonda Baker are charged with wire fraud. Tevin Ramsey and Darrell Alston are also charged in the indictment.
Arrests were made after serving search warrants at locations in Columbia and California. During the raids, investigators say they seized drugs, cash, guns and a bullet-proof vest.
"When you're trying to prosecute organized crime, it takes time to see the pattern to see the big picture to see it's not an isolated robbery or drug dealing activity,"
This is the second big federal racketeering investigation to wrap up in South Carolina this summer. Last month, 19 people affiliated with the Hells Angels motorcycle gang were arrested in North and South Carolina as part of a 2-year investigation into gun and drug crimes.
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