Authorities revealed this week that over 1,000 pounds of illegal drugs, a significant amount of cash, and a collection of firearms were seized during an investigation focused on street gangs in Los Angeles County linked to Mexican cartels.
The inquiry started in November 2022, as stated in a release from the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, when narcotics detectives and deputies from the Compton Sheriff’s Station carried out a search warrant at a home on South Willow Avenue.
Authorities discovered over 275,000 fentanyl pills, 24 pounds of cocaine, and almost 9 pounds of heroin during the first search of the location.
Authorities reported the arrest and prosecution of two individuals involved in narcotics trafficking, specifically for trafficking fentanyl close to an elementary school.
“During the investigation, investigators learned that the Target Subjects were involved with local street gangs with direct ties to the Mexico cartels,” officials said.
Authorities announced that since January 2023, local and federal investigators have uncovered a trafficking network linked to cartels, utilizing stash houses run by local gangs in the county to support their activities, leading to the recovery of:
- 808,000 fentanyl pills (approximately 201.8 pounds)
- 48 kilograms of compressed fentanyl (105.8 pounds)
- 46 kilograms of cocaine (101.2 pounds)
- 13.7 kilograms of heroin (30.2 pounds)
- 282.95 kilograms (622.49 pounds) of methamphetamine
- 55 gallons of diethyl ether, a precursor to PCP production
- $259,000 in suspected drug proceeds
- 21 loaded rifles, 43 loaded handguns, two loaded shotguns, and three loaded AR-15 rifles
On November 13, the LASD Narcotics Bureau, alongside the U.S. Attorney’s Office, the L.A. County District Attorney’s Office, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, executed 13 search warrants across the county, leading to several arrests.
- Barajas, Adrian MA 10/23/88-resident of Hawthorne
- Montiel, Alheli MA 11/10/84-resident of Hawthorne
- Olivarez, Esteban MA 01/01/96-resident of Desert Hot Springs
- Torres Fonseca, Oswaldo MA 05/05/99-resident of Los Angeles
- Madronero, Maria Carolina FA 10/29/97-resident of Los Angeles
- Jimenez-Sorto, Manuel MA 10/09/90-resident of Inglewood
- Rocha, Wilfredo MA 06/01/77-resident of East Los Angeles
- Ceja, Luis MA 03/14/71-resident of Sylmar
- Sanchez, Salvador MA 09/16/89-resident of Woodland Hills
- Bernardino, Domingo MA 12/21/93 resident of Los Angeles
- Estrada, Erik MA 05/27/96-resident of Compton
- Reveles, Manuel MA 07/22/1990-resident of South Gate
- Pieneda, Douglas MA 11/30/80-resident of Los Angeles
The organization is dealing with multiple federal and state allegations, such as drug trafficking, weapons offenses, child endangerment, possession of firearms by a felon, and conspiracy to distribute.
Officials stated that if found guilty, numerous individuals among those arrested could face at least 10 years in federal prison, with the possibility of a life sentence.
Officials reported that approximately 50 individuals have been detained since the start of the investigation into the case.