Attorney General William Barr announced Wednesday that there have been nearly 1,500 arrests across eight U.S. cities thus far under the "Operation Legend" law enforcement initiative launched roughly six weeks ago, additional information available here. Of those arrests, according to the Justice Department, approximately 217 defendants have been charged with federal crimes, most of which are drug and gun-related. Under the program, more than 1,000 federal law enforcement officers were sent to nine cities experiencing increasing crime rates to partner with local police in a surge that drew sharp concern from some local leaders.
In Chicago, 61 people have been charged with federal crimes under Operation Legend, including 34 for firearms-related offenses. 16 people have been charged in Albuquerque with drug offenses. In Milwaukee, 11 people have been charged with federal crimes and 28 guns have been seized by the federal and local task forces.