'Mexican Mafia' crackdown results in 85 arrests in Southern California

(FOX NEWS) - A major gang crackdown aimed at so-called Mexican Mafia operations in Orange County has led to 85 arrests of "middle management" gang leaders, officials said Wednesday.

The three-month investigation, dubbed "Operation Scarecrow," was one of the largest operations in county history, Orange County Undersheriff Don Barnes told the Orange County Register.

Authorities confiscated 36 firearms, 14 pounds of methamphetamine and three pounds of heroin, the report said.

The investigation was also the largest crackdown on gang activity in California this year, the OC Breeze reported.