DENVER -- About 450 federal, state and local law enforcement officers fanned out throughout the metro area Thursday morning, rounding up dozens of people who are believed to be involved in Denver's two most violent gangs, and who may also be involved in the shooting of Darrent Williams.

"Thanks to the largest combined law enforcement in Colorado history, a time of reckoning is finally at hand for members and associates of two of Denver's most notorious street gangs," said U.S. Attorney Troy Eid. "It's the largest gang takedown in Colorado."

The gangs involved are the Tre Tre Crips and the Rolling 30s Crips, authorities said.

Brian Hicks was one of 50 suspected gang members listed in the federal indictment. Hicks is linked to the shooting death of Denver Broncos cornerback Darrent Williams, but law enforcement agencies have made no direct connection to Thursday's arrests and the Williams case.

During the course of an 18-month probe into gang activity and a massive drug ring in the Denver area, authorities seized more than $1.4 million in cash, 36 weapons, 85 kilos of cocaine, 2 kilos of crack cocaine, 2.5 kilos of marijuana and three vehicles.

Thursday's roundup focused on Hicks' gang, who have been the focus of the Denver police investigation in Williams' slaying, 7NEWS reported.

Thursday's arrest was a calculated play by law enforcement, 7NEWS reported. Knowing that they face long prison terms and serious drug charges, everyone arrested will be pressured for information about Williams' shooting.

A source told 7NEWS that it is likely that each one of these individuals will be questioned thoroughly about what they know and that information could lead to an arrest in the Williams case.

Police will not say if they have arrested Williams' killer. However, a source told 7NEWS that it is highly likely that one of the people arrested Thursday is either connected to the Williams case or has information that will be critical for the arrest.

"This is an extremely violent organization. It has spilled over from being just gang-related. It has taken in innocent people in our community. Again, this is an important first step -- a very big step but there's more work to be done, more investigation to do ... I am very proud of the officers who put their lives on the line today for the takedown that was successful," said District Attorney Mitch Morrissey.

The arrests came after indictments were handed down by a federal grand jury. The sealed indictments list drug, weapons and money laundering charges.

The sweep started before sunrise and culminated in 49 arrests.

"This was an exceedingly dangerous and difficult operation for those involved today. The Rolling 30s and Tre Tre Crips have inflicted great havoc and hardship in our community," Eid said.

There were more than 450 local, state and federal agents involved in the sweep, including 12 SWAT teams. It spanned three counties and eight cities. Agencies participating in the sweep included the FBI, the Metro Drug Task Force, the Metro Gang Task Force, the Douglas County Sheriff's Office, the Aurora Police Department, the Denver Police Department, the Thornton Police Department, the Adams and Arapahoe County sheriff's departments, and the Colorado National Guard.

"This case is not over. This is just the beginning of this case. I'd like to urge anyone out there who has information about the drug and gang members that we have arrested today, or who are fugitives in this case, to come forward," said Kathleen Tafoya, the lead prosecutor with the U.S. Attorney's Office. "At this point, information that you have or evidence that you may have can be turned over to your local police department. You pretty much have a free pass. So come on in and give us what you got. Little bit later, that might not be true. This investigation is going to keep going and it's going to get bigger."

Connected To Darrent Williams' Case?

Williams was riding in a stretch limousine when he was shot and killed at 2 a.m. on New Year's Day. Authorities said that someone in a nearby sport utility vehicle sprayed his limo with 14 bullets.

The SUV that the shots came from was owned by Hicks, although Hicks was in jail at the time of the shooting.

Hicks, 28, has been jailed since Nov. 9 on a charge of possessing drugs with intent to distribute. He's also accused of shooting at a woman who was later killed a week before she was to testify against him. His bond was increased to $1 million after the woman was killed and his trial date was rescheduled.

The New Year's Eve shooting that killed Williams also injured two others. So far, no one has been arrested in the slaying.

Reporter Dayle Cedars said that at least three of the arrests occurred in Aurora on Thursday. She reported that law enforcement officers made arrests and then waited for search warrants to be issued so they could go through the residences where the arrests were made.