NELVIN C. CEPEDA / Union-Tribune Police Chief William Lansdowne points to seized items from two undercover drug stings yesterday. Joining him are Deputy District Attorney Damon Mosler, District Attorney Bonnie Dumanis, DEA agent Ralph Partridge and Deputy District Attorney Dana Greisen.

The two operations have resulted in charges against 82 people, including 29 who were arrested during an early-morning sweep at several homes yesterday, District Attorney Bonnie Dumanis said.

Various drugs, cash and weapons, including a stolen Tec-9 submachine gun, were seized.

The operations, launched in response to community concerns of growing gang crime, targeted mid-to high-level cocaine dealers and their suppliers. It was a joint effort involving San Diego police, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration and the county District Attorney's Office.

Five people appeared in court yesterday on various charges, including selling cocaine to confidential informants. They pleaded not guilty.

“We're taking these career criminals off the streets for drug dealing,” Dumanis said during a news conference. “As a result, the law enforcement community expects other types of gang crime in these neighborhoods to decrease, as well.”

The first sting, dubbed “Operation Bloodsucker,” was launched in March and swept up the leadership – a father-and-son team, authorities said. Two months later, authorities launched a second sting, dubbed “Operation Lucky Strike.”

DEA Special Agent in Charge Ralph Partridge said the multiagency effort “struck in the heart of the gangs.”

“Word on the street is that they couldn't find any drugs, and that is significant. That has an impact,” Partridge said.

San Diego Police Chief William Lansdowne said gang homicides have already fallen 39 percent since the beginning of the year, and there has been a subsequent decrease in drive-by shootings and other gun crimes in the area.

Kristina Davis: (619) 542-4591; kristina.davis@uniontrib.com