Eighty-one people were arrested last week as part of an anti-gang operation led by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, with cooperation from the San Diego County Sheriff's Department and Escondido police.

Using lists of targeted individuals, officers combed homes principally in North County and arrested 38 confirmed gang members and gang associates, ICE spokeswoman Lauren Mack said. The rest had criminal records and were either in the country illegally or otherwise deportable, she said.

Six people were charged with felony re-entry after deportation, which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years upon conviction.

Nine people were charged with state violations; some were found to have outstanding warrants. Two U.S. citizens were among those arrested.

The sweep was part of Operation Community Shield, a nationwide ICE initiative begun in 2005 that is intended to crack down on gangs and seek out members who are deportable. –L.B.