article: Authorities forced alleged gang members to reveal their tattoos after they were arrested during a nationwide operation that saw more than 1,200 people detained. Teams from Homeland Security and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) stormed properties associated with 239 crime syndicates following a six-week operation known as Project Wildfire. Officials from 215 local, state and federal law-enforcement agencies seized hoards of weapons, drugs and cash at the addresses and at least 913 have already been charged with a range of crimes including rape, murder and sexual assault. As they were booked into jail, some of the suspects were forced to take off their shirts and reveal their ink - many of which are believed to be tied to gangs. Detained: A gang member arrested during raids by Homeland Security and Customs officials across the country shows off his head tattoo in Dallas, Texas (left). The letters could mean he was a member of a Sureno (Mexican Mafia) gang and was originally based in El Paso. Another suspect covered in tattoos poses in Lubbock, Texas (right) Images released following the raids show tables covered in confiscated guns and defendants showing off their gang tattoos. The greatest activity took place in the San Juan, Dallas, El Paso, Los Angeles and Detroit. Most were U.S. citizens but 199 foreign nationals were also arrested from 18 countries in South and Central America, Asia, Africa, Europe and the Caribbean. Of the individuals arrested, 976 were gang members and associates. Homeland Security Investigation (HSI) agents also arrested – or assisted in the arrest – of 231 other individuals on federal and/or state criminal violations and administrative immigration violations, for a total of 1,207 arrests. Of the total 1,207 arrested, 1,057 were males and 150 were females. From those in crime syndicates 913 were charged with criminal offenses and 63 were arrested administratively for immigration violations; 650 had violent criminal histories, including 19 individuals wanted on active warrants for murder and 15 for rape or sexual assault; and 199 were foreign nationals, of which 151 were gang members and gang associates. Suspect: A man shows off his ink before being booked into jail in Lubbock, Texas, following the nationwide raid where more than 1,200 people were arrested. One of the markings on his back is of the Virgin Mary . Identity: Two more suspects reveal their tattoos to the authorities in Dallas (left) and Denver, Colorado (right). One of the men has a five-point crown, meaning he could be a member of a the Latins King gang while the other has a large cannabis leaf emblazoned on his chest . Designs: A pair of alleged gang members pull up their shirts to show their artwork in San Antonio, Texas (left), and Denver, Colorado (right). The one on the left has an Aztec design, meaning the suspect could be part of a gang with Mexican or Latin American origins while the clown has a variety of meanings, depending on the facial expression . Animated: One man detained in Dallas, Texas, appears to have a character from the film Monsters Inc inked into his back in between a woman and an angel . Meaning: The man on the left has a spiderweb tattoo, which is said to suggest the wearer is doing time or has served time in prison. The other man has: 'Don't cry for God' emblazoned on his neck . Sarah R. Saldaña, the director of the ICE, said in a statement: 'Criminal gangs inflict violence and fear upon our communities, and without the attention of law enforcement, these groups can spread like a cancer. 'That’s why ICE works with law enforcement partners around the country to stamp out gang activity wherever it takes place.' Homeland Security's Greg Mandoli told Fox News: 'This is where grassroots law enforcement starts. This is how we get a baseline read of what’s happening… it all builds on itself…this is what federal agencies, investigative agencies like HSI, are doing to target transnational criminality. 'We’re looking to prevent, deter and protect communities. The public doesn't realize what’s happening in a federal investigative agency like HSI and the breath of the investigations that we’re doing. 'So, with Project Wildfire, we’re looking to take ground information and feed them back into the collective pool... working with our local partners to identify community threats as we look to prevent, deter and protect the homeland.' Areas: Two more suspects show off their inking with the letters 'V' and 'I' on one man's neck in San Diego, California and the letters 'TT' on another in Dallas, Texas . Covered: This suspect apprehended in Dallas, Texas, has markings all over his body. The American head dress design below is said to symbolize spirituality . One man in Denver, Colorado, sports an upside down clown on his forearm, which depicts a gang member's 'play now, pay later' attitude. Another shows off his artwork in Los Angeles, California . Source: U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement . Contraband: Weapons, drugs and money are laid out on a table in San Francisco following a raid on properties linked to gangs across the country that led to more than 1,200 arrests . Raids: Teams from Homeland Security and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) stormed properties in cities including Los Angeles (pictured) associated with 239 crime syndicates following a six-week operation known as Project Wildfire . Questioning: Members of a Homeland Security gang unit speak to an alleged gang member during a traffic stop in San Francisco, California . Observing: Officers inspect an alleged gang member's tattoos in Dallas, Texas. The operation began on February 23 and ended on March 31 . Bodycam: Agents capture footage of an unidentified suspect during one of the raids . Taken away: A member of the ICE task force arrests an alleged gang member in Los Angeles, California . Preparation: Agents gather outside a house in Detroit, Michigan, just moments before a raid .
highlights: Properties associated with 239 crime syndicates were stormed nationwide .
  913 of those caught have been charged with crimes including murder .
  Hoards of weapons, drugs and money were all seized by authorities .
  Operation known as Project Wildfire ran from February 23 to March 31 .
  Nearly 200 foreign nationals were arrested during the operation .
prediction: Authorities 
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