Police recovered ammunition, a rifle and several handguns from homes during a raid this morning.

1:18pm | Long Beach Police today confiscated several weapons and arrested 13 people in an early-morning  gang takedown aimed at one of the city’s most notorious street gangs, the East Side Longos.

At right: Mayor Bob Foster addresses reporters as Chief of Police Jim McDonnell (left) and other officers look on.

Several agencies assisted in the sting, which searched 45 homes associated with the East Side Longos. The gang has been associated with at least six shootings in just the last two months, including an attack on officers last week that injured and hospitalized one. A few days later, officers arrested 19-year olds David Silva and Eric Sianez for the crime, and they are awaiting trial on attempted murder and aiding a street gang, among other charges. Police determined that the shooting was likely related to other recent incidents due to ballistic matches.

The Long Beach Post covered the press conference live on our Twitter account.

“I hope this operation sends a strong message to those who choose to bring harm to the residents of Long Beach,” said Long Beach Mayor Bob Foster. “Your illegal activities will not be tolerated and we will do anything in our power to put an end to your crime conduct.”

Two juveniles were arrested in connection with a December 29 shooting, though Chief McDonnell declined to go into detail on the incident. Eleven others were arrested on a variety of charges including parole violations, weapons violations and outstanding warrants. Four children were taken into protective custody.

Organizations that assisted in the investigation included the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, the U.S. Marshals, State Parole agents, Los Angeles County probation officers and the Department of Children and Family Services.

In May of 2010, the LBPD again targeted the East Side Longos when they arrested eight people with charges ranging from murder to witness intimidation.