ATLANTA (CBS ATLANTA) -
Early Thursday morning, the Federal Bureau of Investigation raided several locations throughout the state. A representative from the United States Department of Justice confirms indictments and a federal criminal complaint have been unsealed, charging 23 people with federal offenses.
The charges, resulting in an FBI undercover investigation, involve methamphetamine and cocaine, gun offenses, and obstructing the investigation.
Agents, with the help of the DeKalb County SWAT team busted through the fence that shielded the Outlaw Motorcycle Club from nosy neighbors on Campbellton Road in southwest Atlanta.
"You say FBI, well it's got to be big. There must be drugs involved or something," one female neighbor said.
"They always allege that, that's because we're not like the regular people. We're bikers. We live a different lifestyle and they don't understand it," the owner of the property said.
Members, like the owner, are known by wearing the skull with crossed pistons. "1%er" is a patch known to mean they are the 1 percent of bikers who are outlaws, or rule breakers.
Ashley Richardson owns City Automotive down the street. He said he's seen a lot from them in his 35 years in businesses.
"They have a reputation. A lot of them get arrested and stuff like that. They're supposed to be involved in the meth thing and drugs," Richardson said.
Richardson said no one messes with the Outlaws.
People in the neighborhood are afraid of them. Even the crooks don't bother them," Richardson said.
"FBI agents and local law enforcement went out to several locations to execute search warrants and make arrests this morning, and defendants are now appearing before Magistrate Judge Susan S. Cole in federal court in Gainesville," said the representative.
CBSAtlanta.com will have more information as it becomes available.
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