Detectives have only scratched the surface on what they think will be a massive crackdown on gang violence and burglary a week before Fiestas, according to Santa Fe police Chief Aric Wheeler.

Five men were arrested Wednesday — with three of those in the custody of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, likely awaiting deportation. As many as 30 more suspects could be involved in the multifaceted investigation the Santa Fe Police Department has been conducting for more than a week.

Wheeler said his department has already recovered a large stockpile of guns and other stolen property that officers believe will be traced to residential and auto burglaries around Santa Fe County — crimes police say are all tied to a much larger gang syndicate in the area.

"I think this is just the tip of the iceberg on this one," Wheeler said.

Santa Fe police have been working hand in hand with the Sheriff's Office, Homeland Security, and adult and juvenile probation officers.

On Aug. 25, Santa Fe SWAT members and several uniformed officers executed a search warrant at an apartment in the 2700 block of Galisteo Street near Rodeo Road.

The evidence log filed in court from that search indicates police found, among other items, at least 10 firearms, several cellular telephones, bags of jewelry, a rare coin and stamp collection, computer equipment, numerous pipes and several baggies of suspected drugs.

On Wednesday, police displayed for the media many of the items seized. Wheeler said a viewing for recent burglary victims will be forthcoming.

While nobody has yet been charged with burglary-related offenses, that is only a matter of time, Wheeler said. Once property is matched with burglary reports, charges can be more easily filed. Wheeler said police were able to detain suspects involved in the case on other charges.

Three men at the Galisteo Street home on Aug. 25 — Arturo Lugo, Jaime Aguero-Lozano and Jesus Juarez — were taken into custody by agents from the Department of Homeland Security because they were "formerly deported felons," Wheeler said.

Jeff Padilla, 49, was arrested that night and charged with driving while intoxicated. Police say he drove up to the residence while the search was being conducted and was drunk. Wheeler said Padilla "is also considered a burglary suspect."

Four other men Santa Fe police consider "known or suspected gang members" in their ongoing investigation also have been arrested: Jose Arevalo, 34, held on a drug possession charge; Erick Lopez, 37, held on an outstanding court warrant; Ricardo Venzor-Gutierrez, 19, held on a warrant charging him with receiving or transferring stolen property; and Francisco Perales, 55, held on an outstanding court warrant.

Perales told The New Mexican that he is not part of any gang and has been wrongly associated with the investigation.

"As we continue to get the information, we will continue this operation," Wheeler said.

"I can say there are up to 30 additional names (of burglary suspects) we've received that we're looking into right now as a result of the work detectives have been doing on this particular operation," Wheeler said.

He added that gangs in Santa Fe are "a growing problem."

Some recent investigations have included police talking to juvenile suspects in the Cottonwood Mobile Home Park. Residents there say officers have threatened deportation if additional names of burglary suspects and gang members aren't disclosed.

Those are allegations Wheeler strongly denies.

Recent burglary statistics released by the Santa Fe Police Department show overall burglaries in the city rose 9 percent from Jan. 1 through June 30 compared with the same time frame in 2009. Auto burglaries in particular saw a 28 percent rise.

Police have said the fluctuation between residential and auto burglaries is cyclical, and they believe a good number of burglaries in the city are being done by gang members.

Wheeler said detectives have been asking for more resources to conduct these types of operations, but the cash-strapped department has to be judicious in how it spreads its money.

"I told them, 'You show me some fruitful results, and I will allow you the resources to continue these operations,' " he said.

While the chief confirmed additional searches have already been conducted as a part of the current operation, only the Galisteo Street warrant has been filed in court.

Contact Geoff Grammer at 986-3076 or ggrammer@sfnewmexican.com.