Oregon police crack down on racist gangs in 'Operation White Christmas'

Earlier this week, the Multnomah County Sheriff's Office in Oregon arrested over 40 white supremacists in what it calls "Operation White Christmas."

"Merry Christmas," Oregon's U.S. Attorney Amanda Marshall said in a statement. "Here's a gift from the U.S. attorney."

The investigation began six months ago, when deputies from the sheriff's office began infiltrating local white supremacist groups, including European Kindred, Rude Krude Brood and Irish Pride. Most of those arrested joined these gangs while in prison, and their crimes largely consisted of intimidating their own members to prevent them from cooperating with authorities.

The members of the gang are also involved in the production and distribution of methamphetamine, the trafficking of firearms and the theft of many high end items, including stringed instruments.

At the news conference announcing the arrests, the police stash including 74 firearms seized from suspects, as well as table full of cellos, violas and violins stolen from a shipping container behind the Kennedy Violins store last week.

"These arrests deal a significant blow to the leadership of these white supremacist gangs," Multnomah County Sheriff Dan Staton toldThe Oregonian.

Watch The Oregonian's coverage of the police's new conference below.