Federal prosecutors in El Salvador have issued arrest warrants for several local police officers who allegedly lent gang members uniforms, vehicles and ammunition to commit extortion, according to AP. The police in the town of Zacatecoluca allegedly worked for members of the Barrio 18 gang, and some officers had ties to the gang itself. Chief prosecutor Douglas Melendez said Tuesday that 12 officers had been arrested and eight others are being sought. The gang members extorted money from vendors at local markets. The town is home to a prison where many gang members are held. Imprisoned gang members allegedly gave orders to run the extortion racket. The town's police chief is now considered a fugitive.
