By Chris Caraveo, Independent Newsmedia

Law enforcement officials arrested about 10 people Wednesday morning in El Mirage while executing search warrants for drugs in the area.

An El Mirage Police Department spokesperson said officials began combing the area of 13900 North Luna Street near Thunderbird Road and Grand Avenue at about 7 a.m. Feb. 22.

The El Mirage Polive Department and the Arizona DPS GIITEM Street Crimes Unit searched three houses for which officials had warrants for.

Sgt. Chris Culp said the raid was an on-going investigation, in which investigators tied the three houses, all on the same street, together.

Officials found drugs, guns, and gang insignia at the homes. El Mirage Building and Fire Inspectors, as well as El Mirage Code Enforcement determined all three properties were unfit for occupation and the City has taken the, off the market.

One of the residences, known as the “compound”, was responsible for hundreds of calls for service due to transients living in make-shift housing, drug use and prostitution, according to a release. Officials located 15 people at the compound, living in a tree house, sheds, tents, and other uninhabitable places on the property. Officials released some of them at the scene. However, some were arrested for warrants.

After the SWAT teams cleared all three houses, officials arrested about 10 people for misdemeanor or felony warrants and/or were the targeted suspects in the investigation.

All suspects arrested cooperated with officials during the investigation.

"El Mirage is becoming a newer, vibrant city, and the El Mirage Police Department will not tolerate criminal activity that negatively impacts the community," a release stated.