A month-long fugitive roundup by local, state and federal law enforcement agencies resulted in the capture of 210 wanted criminals in Eastern Washington, authorities said.

Operation FALCON (Federal And Local Cops Organized Nationally) 2009 tracked down fugitives in 20 Eastern Washington counties beginning June 1.

Authorities cleared 347 warrants with the arrests. About 50 to 60 fugitives were picked up in the Tri-Cities, officials said.

"The goal of Operation FALCON is simple — to make communities safer," John F. Clark, director of the U.S. Marshals Service said in a news release. "Each time we wrap up a FALCON operation in any location, there are less dangerous individuals — and fewer threats to the community — then before we arrived there. That is very gratifying."

Twenty-seven agencies participated in the fugitive sweep, including the Kennewick, Richland, Pasco and West Richland police departments and the Benton County and Franklin County sheriff's offices.

Police departments and sheriff's offices in the Yakima Valley and the Basin also took part.

Operation FALCON 2009 was the sixth in the series of U.S. Marshals Services-led fugitive apprehension initiatives. During the past five years, more than 91,000 fugitives have been put back behind bars, officials said.

Fugitives targeted in Eastern Washington including sex offenders, gang members and criminals wanted for violent offense and drug violations.

Participating agencies identified wanted people within their communities, who were then targeted by assigned arrest teams within each geographical area.

"The level of cooperation between the U.S. Marshals and the local departments is reflected in the 210 arrests that were made in just one month," U.S. Marshal Michael Kline said in a news release. "The partnership we have with the local departs is one of our most valuable tools."