The US Department of Justice will send agents trained in tracking and curtailing the distribution of illegal guns through “funneling corridors” that run guns Southern states to place in the Northeast and West Coast.

According to the New York Post, the five strike forces will be deployed to New York City; Washington, DC; Chicago; San Francisco; and Los Angeles.  They will be staffed by agents from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives assisted by local police, with each effort being led by a US Attorney in each city.

“Working with our local partners to tackle violent crime is one of the Justice Department’s most important responsibilities,” Attorney General Merrick Garland said in a statement.  “Our firearms trafficking strike forces will investigate and disrupt the networks that channel crime guns into our communities with tragic consequences.  This effort reflects our shared commitment to keep communities safe.”

The task forces will begin operating over the next 30 days.  The initial period will be used to establish cross-jurisdictional operations, including allowing task force members to develop cooperation and secondary programs across state lines.  This will “focus enforcement against entire trafficking networks, from the places where guns are unlawfully obtained to the areas where they are used to commit violent crimes,” according to the Justice Department.

The cities were chosen for sudden spikes in gun violence in those areas, as well as known gun trafficking activities which supply illegal weapons in those areas.