LOS ANGELES (KABC) — Federal and local law enforcement agencies launched a massive drug raid in multiple Southern California locations on Wednesday, arresting at least 17 people.
The raid, which was spearheaded by the Drug Enforcement Administration and included the Los Angeles Police Department, focused mainly on MacArthur Park but also included arrests in South L.A., Calabasas and San Gabriel, the DEA confirmed.
As part of the arrests made in those cities, agents seized 9 kilos of fentanyl, worth $8 million – $10 million, First Assistant U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli said.
Federal and local law enforcement agencies launched a massive drug raid in multiple Southern California locations on Wednesday, arresting at least 17 people.
The Department of Justice said “Operation Free MacArthur Park” aims to address what it described as an open-air drug market running rampant in the park, involving massive amounts of fentanyl and methamphetamine.
Essayli said the park’s “#1 drug trafficker,” a Calabasas resident, is in federal custody and faces possible life imprisonment.
Video from AIR7 showed authorities in tactical gear outside a small business across the street from the park, with one law enforcement officer using a chainsaw to cut through an exterior wall.
DEA officials added that another objective of the operation is about “cleaning up the community” ahead of the World Cup and Olympics.
According to the DEA, it is targeting drug dealers who are connected to cartels. According to the agency, 200 of its personnel were involved in the operation, as well as 70 from LAPD.
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