United States Drug Enforcement Administration

LOS ANGELES, CA - The Drug Enforcement Administration’(DEA) Mobile Enforcement (M.E.T.) and the Long Beach Police Department’s Drug Investigations Section joined forces and conducted a three-month operation that resulted in the removal of numerous criminals from the streets of Long Beach, as well as the seizure of guns, drugs, and money.

The 22-member task force was comprised of 11 members of the L.B.P.D., 10 members of the DEA’s M.E.T., and 1 agent from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and (ATF).

Timothy J. Landrum, DEA Special Agent in Charge, stated that “The partnership developed through this Long Beach PD and MET operation has achieved significant results by reducing drug and associated criminal activity in the Long Beach area. DEA will continue to join with our law enforcement partners to ensure violent drug dealers are taken off our streets to improve quality of life and make our communities safer.”

The three-month operation began January 25, 2011 and ended April 28, 2011, and focused on removing street level narcotics from the community. The task force placed the emphasis of the citywide operation on areas that have been impacted by violent crime and gang activity.

In conjunction with the citywide task force operation, the L.B.P.D. members of the task force also continued to work their existing cases regarding the enforcement of street-level narcotics during the three-month timeframe. Altogether the members of the task force served 50 search warrants, seized 8 guns, close to $17,000 that had been used for the purpose of illegal activities, and seized various amounts of cocaine, rock cocaine, heroin, marijuana, methamphetamine, PCP, and pills. In addition, 150 individuals were arrested, including 35 gang members.

Chief Jim McDonnell stated, “The Long Beach Police Department’s partnerships were a significant factor in the success of this operation, as well as the many others we coordinate. We thank M.E.T., ATF and the residents of our city for their support in sending the message that crime is not tolerated by the Long Beach community.”