A large-scale operation and investigation that began on June 1 concluded with the arrest of 27 alleged drug traffickers linked to the Mexican Mafia “La Eme”, the seizure of 30 heavy caliber weapons – including ghost weapons -, thousands of dollars in cash and narcotics.
The criminals operated a statewide narcotics and firearms trafficking network, and as a result of the operation called “Safe Harbor,” 72,115 fentanyl pills, 1.7 pounds of powdered fentanyl, 143 pounds of methamphetamine, 4.7 pounds of heroin, 1.9 pounds of cocaine, 1.7 pounds of PCP or “angel dust” and $44,000.
“We are sending a strong message that organized crime and corporate [criminales] “They can’t stand up to the power of good law enforcement work,” said State Attorney Rob Bonta. “We have removed drugs and dangerous weapons from our streets and protected the people of Los Angeles from the continued threats this group has caused.”
The State Attorney General did not directly refer to the Mexican Mafia “La Eme”, but historically it is known that, from inside the jails and prisons of California, they order murders, kidnappings, narcotics smuggling, robberies and various crimes, in their service to drug cartels operating from Mexico.
Greater peace of mind
After serving seven search warrants on June 1, police officers made 10 felony arrests and recovered 14 firearms, including two “ghost” guns, a short-barreled rifle and $4,000, while intercepting the sale of several quantities of narcotics.
“Thank you to our Department of Justice (DOJ) agents and law enforcement partners for the hours and work they have put in on this case and for their work making California safer,” added Prosecutor Bonta. “Los Angeles families can live and sleep more peacefully as a result of this research.”
Those arrested were operating through street gangs in the Port of Los Angeles area and have been referred to the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s office for filing of felony charges, including transportation of controlled substances, possession of controlled substances for sale, conspiracy to commit a crime and felony possession of a firearm. Additionally, authorities recovered two stolen cars.
“Operation Safe Harbor” was the result of the efforts of the Special Operations Unit of the California Department of Justice (DOJ), the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD), the California Highway Patrol (CHP), the Federal Investigations (FBI), and the United States Homeland Security Investigations and High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas (HIDTA) of Tulare and Kern counties.
safe streets
“I am grateful for the collaborative efforts of our federal and state authorities and other partners to keep guns and drugs off our streets,” said LAPD Chief Michel Moore. “Through these partnerships, we are better able to serve the people of Los Angeles and beyond. We will not stop. “We are looking for those who sell these deadly products.”
Donald Alway, assistant director in charge of the FBI’s Los Angeles field office, called the arrests the result of an ongoing investigation into the Mexican Mafia and cartel-affiliated street gangs that have plagued the port area with violent crimes. , drugs and illegal weapons.
“The FBI will continue to dedicate resources to this strong law enforcement partnership with the goal of restoring safe streets for law-abiding citizens,” the official stated.
“These law enforcement actions demonstrate how seriously we take our commitment to protecting the community from dangerous individuals who distribute firearms and illegal drugs like fentanyl,” said Eddy Wang, special agent in charge of investigations for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). of the United States.
“Targeting criminal street gangs is a critical part of our fight to reduce violent crime in our communities.”
From June 1 to September 23, agents carried out seven search warrants and, in addition to recovering weapons, drugs and money in the Los Angeles port area, discovered additional accomplices in Tulare and Kern counties. , in the Central Valley of California.
A previous blow in May
The arrest of the 27 allegedly involved in drug trafficking activities was preceded in May by the capture of seven other criminals who belonged to the Westside Wilmas and Eastside Wilmas gangs, following a federal investigation into fentanyl trafficking and sales of “ghost guns.”
According to a statement from the Department of Justice, the Wilmas gangs and their members are believed to be controlled by various members of the Mexican Mafia, who are serving life sentences in California prisons.
The affidavit of the complaint alleges that, from October 2022 to February 2023, the Wilmas gang and Patricia Amelia Limón, 53, a resident of Lomita, carried out seven drug and firearms transactions, on orders from a member of “La EME” who is on death row.
Along with her, Jesús “Chuy” Delgado, 46, of San Pedro, who was allegedly a former member of the Westside Wilmas gang, participated in a series of methamphetamine and firearms sales, including several in January and February 2023, al across the street from a high school in San Pedro. Delgado allegedly sold firearms, including semi-automatic weapons without serial numbers, commonly known as “ghost guns,” and 883.9 grams (1.95 pounds) of methamphetamine while on probation.
If convicted, Limón and Delgado, charged with distribution of controlled substances, would face a statutory maximum sentence of life in federal prison.
Investigations against organized crime
• End the fentanyl crisis. Operating throughout the state, including Placer, Merced, Fresno and Orange counties, and pursue legal action to hold manufacturers and distributors accountable. As of April 2022, California Department of Justice fentanyl seizures totaled approximately 9,348,852 fentanyl pills seized, 1,213 pounds of powder seized, and more than 200 arrests.
• Prevent gun violence through the Office of Gun Violence Prevention. Operations to remove weapons from the hands of prohibited persons; and legislation to strengthen California laws and hold the firearms industry accountable.
• Dismantle human trafficking networks. In San Diego, in Kings County and throughout California, and launch human trafficking and sexual predator apprehension teams within the Department of Justice. To date, approximately 649 human traffickers have been arrested and 650 victims have been helped or supported.
• Combat theft in retail stores. The aim is to obtain a felony conviction in each of the organized retail theft operations.
• Dismantle gangs and protect neighborhoods. In Fresno, Riverside, Sacramento, San Bernardino, Stockton, Visalia and Yuba City.
• Work together with the community to find public safety solutions in Stockton and San Diego.
• Protect older people from abuse and neglect. Prosecuting those who steal, defraud or harm and abuse older people.