Despite how much President Donald Trump has touted the Operation Matador anti-gang initiative, much of the program is still shrouded in secrecy, according to the Associated Press.

Operation Matador was launched by Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Homeland Security Investigations last year, in an effort to target MS-13 gang members. The aim is to dismantle their operations and prevent violent crime. 

Suffolk District Attorney Tim Sini says his office isn't directly involved with Operation Matador, but in his previous post as the county police commissioner, he was privy to the workings of the operation. He says they made hundreds of street arrests to put gang members in jail. 

"The reason why we put that type of pressure on MS-13 is that we want to disrupt their operations. Every arrest may prevent a crime that day or a future crime," says Sini. 

However, the Associated Press reports that there is a lack of transparency in the operation, claiming that state and federal authorities refused to hand over basic information, such as the names of those arrested and the crimes they are accused of committing.

There have been concerns that immigrants who aren't affiliated with the gang could be swept up in the war on MS-13.

Sini doesn't think that's the case.

"We are targeting gang members and we stand by our work. We're going to do what it takes to keep Suffolk County safe," he said. 

Sini told News 12 that his office is making strides in targeting gang members. He says they have launched a gang unit to prosecute gang members in criminal court.