The Florida Department of Corrections told WFTV about a major crackdown on gang members and violent felons that happened Tuesday night. Agents arrested people in nine counties, mostly in Central Florida. The sweep was conducted from 5:00pm Tuesday to midnight.

All of the suspects were wanted for violating probation. The Florida Department of Corrections wanted to make sure the sometimes violent offenders who have been released from prison aren't falling back into their old criminal habits. This is the eighth time the Florida Department of Corrections has done a sweep like this and each time they pull bad guys, drugs and guns off the streets.

Hundreds of law enforcement officers hit the streets of Central Florida Tuesday night, all of them looking for gang members. The operation was led by the Florida Department of Corrections. The idea is to make sure that known gang members, already on probation or parole, are staying out of trouble.

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SLIDESHOW: Images Of Weapons, Drugs
DOCUMENT: List, Pics Of Items Seized

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“We want to make sure these people, already on probation, aren’t back in the criminal element. Making sure they meet with their probation officers, aren’t doing anything gang-related, re-associating themselves with other convicted felons,” Jeff Williamson of the Orange County Sheriff’s Office said.

There are 52 known gangs in Orange County alone, with more than 1,400 members. Tuesday night, there were a total of 11 arrests made in Orange County. It's a seemingly low number, but according to the sheriff's office the sweep did what it was supposed to do.

In six of the nine Central Florida counties, there were a total of 83 arrests of known gang members or associates, including 35 in Brevard County, 15 in Seminole County and 11 each in Orange and Osceola counties.

The sweep also took 84 weapons out of the hands of suspected gang members, along with several different kinds of drugs in varying amounts and more than $5,400 in cash.

"They need to understand that we are watching them. That we can show up at any time, and in great force,” he said.

The sweep also netted several other known felons in the nine counties, which included several known sex offenders who were out after curfew.