San Diego

Forty-eight of the 92 shootings in Southeast San Diego this year were either narcotics- or gang-related, Police Chief Bill Kolender told the City Council Monday.

In the first of what will be bimonthly council briefings on gangs and drugs, Kolender said some of the gang and drug dealer weapons are more sophisticated than the police arsenal.

Kolender blamed the increase in recent gang violence on a grudge between rival groups battling for control of the lucrative illegal drug trade, especially the sale of rock cocaine. He said an estimated 40% of all homicides in Southeast are drug- and gang-related.

So far this year, Kolender said, narcotics officers have arrested more than 400 people, shut down 40 drug labs, confiscated 107 weapons and recovered $250,000 in cash.

The chief also listed a variety of factors that make the San Diego area a hub for illegal drug activity: It is a major port with a largely unprotected border with Mexico, it draws college-age tourists, and is home for 125,000 active military personnel, half of whom are young men.

“The message that we would like to leave is that, although we face a serious problem, we think it can be managed,” said Kolender.