PALM BAY, Fla. -- There was a surprise raid Friday morning on some of Brevard County's most dangerous drug dealers and Palm Bay police had a surprise of their own. There were 12 children inside one home being raided.

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SLIDESHOW: Images Of Police Raiding Drug Suspect's Home
RAW VIDEO: Palm Bay Drug Raid Caught On Camera

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Police were searching for violent gang members and armed drug dealers and arrested nearly two dozen people. Only Channel 9 was able to obtain video of the raids that unfolded early Friday morning, including on Raymore Street.

The Palm Bay SWAT team burst into the house on Raymore from all sides. They knew they were looking for an armed convicted felon. What they didn't know was that he had surrounded himself with 12 children.

Police said they had to go in aggressively. Last November, when Rudolph Wesley was arrested he was carrying a gun. The chief doesn't know why he was out of jail to begin with.

"He's a convicted felon with a firearm caught in his possession selling drugs. That's supposed to be non-bondable. Well, guess what?" Palm Bay Police Chief Chief Bill Berger said.

The arrest of Wesley came at the end of a three-week drug sweep throughout Palm Bay that led to 21 arrests, nearly $100,000 in drugs seized, $24,000 in cash and six guns. Among those arrested were members of two gangs, the Bianca Boys and the Cold Side Posse.

"The problem, unfortunately, is getting bigger. Gangs are becoming a real reality. Resources are getting tighter," Berger said.

Neighbors said they heard the commotion. They questioned what was going on in the house.

"I don't know whose kids they are. They come in and out," an unidentified neighbor said.

Neighbors said they can't imagine who would put so many children in harm's way. Police said they didn't know there were so many kids in the house, but even if they knew it wouldn't have changed their tactic because, they said, they were dealing with someone they knew kept a loaded gun on him.