LOS ANGELES
A law enforcement strike force Wednesday resulted in the arrests of 20 defendants named in a series of indictments that allege the smuggling of large quantities of narcotics from the Mexican Sinaloa Cartel, according to officials.
Those arrested are among 57 defendants named in three indictments that were unsealed this morning.
The arrests are part of a three-year investigation by the Los Angeles Strike Force.
Two of the defendants were already in state custody and are being turned over today to federal authorities. The remaining 35 defendants are currently fugitives, with most of those believed to be in Mexico at this time.
The investigation – dubbed Operation Narconetas – targeted three drug trafficking organizations that allegedly transported bulk quantities of cocaine, methamphetamine and heroin from Mexico to the Los Angeles metropolitan area and other locations across the United States, according t0 officials.
The investigation revealed that Sinaloa Cartel operatives moved narcotics to the northern reaches of Mexico, and the defendants charged in the indictments transported the drugs into the United States, often using vehicles with hidden compartments.
One of the indictments alleges that money generated from illegal drug sales in the United States transported in bulk quantities from the United States into Mexico.
As a result of Operation Narconetas, authorities seized approximately 850 pounds of methamphetamine, nearly one ton of cocaine, 93 pounds of heroin, almost 50 pounds of marijuana, and $1.42 million in United States currency.
“More than simply seizing large quantities of drugs and money, this investigation was able to identify the top-level, Mexican-based traffickers who directed the transactions, and who thought they were using secure communication devices to commit their crimes,” said First Assistant United States Attorney Tracy L. Wilkison. “Our ability to obtain those communications continues to be an important part of our ability to solve these crimes. The Los Angeles Strike Force has become a leader in using innovative investigative techniques to target Mexico-based drug trafficking organizations.”
“This investigation was responsible for removing over 1,300 kilograms of narcotics from the streets of Los Angeles and other cities, and no doubt prevented violence in our communities, said Paul Delacourt, the Assistant Director in Charge of the FBI in Los Angeles. “We expect this case will have a significant impact on the transportation abilities of these organizations.”
“The Greater Los Angeles Area is utilized by criminal organizations as a hub for the transportation and distribution of illicit drugs throughout the United States,” said DEA Associate Special Agent in Charge Bill Bodner.
The three drug trafficking indictments each allege conspiracies to distribute controlled substances.
The indictments also contain asset forfeiture allegations in which the government is seeking to forfeit any property used to commit or facilitate the drug trafficking offenses. One of the indictments alleges a conspiracy to launder money and bulk cash smuggling.
The defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty.