DEA targets 18th Street gang and MS-13 in MacArthur Park drug raid
Fox News • • nation
Key Points:
- Federal agents conducted "Operation Free MacArthur Park" in Los Angeles, targeting a notorious open-air drug market, resulting in 18 arrests and the seizure of over $10 million worth of fentanyl.
- The operation focused on disrupting narcotics distribution linked to the 18th Street gang and MS-13, both of which control territories within MacArthur Park.
- A federal criminal complaint was filed against 25 defendants, including key suppliers accused of distributing fentanyl and methamphetamine in the area, with some facing minimum sentences of 20 years if convicted.
- The sting was a coordinated effort involving the DEA’s Southern California Drug Task Force, the Los Angeles Police Department, and other federal and local agencies aiming to reclaim the park for the community.
- Authorities emphasized that the operation is part of a broader initiative to restore safety and wellness to MacArthur Park and its surrounding neighborhoods.
