Los Angeles Strike Force targets drug trafficking organizations that allegedly smuggled Sinaloa Cartel narcotics into U.S.

LOS ANGELES – Capping a three-year investigation by the Los Angeles Strike Force, authorities this morning arrested 20 defendants named in a series of indictments that allege the smuggling of large quantities of narcotics from Mexico on behalf of the Sinaloa Cartel.         

Those arrested this morning are among 57 defendants named in three indictments that were unsealed this morning.  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.  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.

The Los Angeles Strike Force investigation was led by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, in partnership with the Drug Enforcement Administration.  Agencies participating in Operation Narconetas include the Los Angeles Police Department; IRS Criminal Investigation; U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations; the United States Marshals Service; the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; the California Highway Patrol; the Torrance Police Department; the Glendale Police Department; the Pomona Police Department; the Fullerton Police Department; and the Azusa Police Department.

These Strike Force members uncovered several sophisticated international drug trafficking organizations that regularly transported narcotics across the U.S.-Mexico border and at times stored drugs in “stash houses” in cities across the Southland.  The narcotics then were distributed throughout the United States.

The Los Angeles Strike Force was formed in 2014 to target Mexican drug cartels that utilize the Los Angeles metropolitan region as a primary hub for the distribution of narcotics across the United States.  The goals of the Strike Force are to target high-level narcotics traffickers, disrupt and dismantle the cartels’ narcotics trafficking and related money laundering activities, and arrest and prosecute the cartels’ leaders and operatives.

“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.  “Today’s joint operation sends a clear message that law enforcement is committed to stemming the flow of narcotics into our country and protecting Americans from the violence that accompanies drug trafficking.” 

“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 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.          

“Today’s arrest of multiple defendants for their alleged role in smuggling funds from illegal drug transactions in and out of the United States is a victory for the American public and a defeat to drug traffickers everywhere.  The special agents of IRS Criminal Investigation continue in their mission to disrupt the flow of ill-gotten gains that is the life-blood for these criminals,” said Special Agent in Charge R. Damon Rowe, Los Angeles Field Office, IRS Criminal Investigation.  “We will continue to be relentless in our mission to dismantle these drug trafficking organizations and bring the criminals who run them to justice.”

The defendants arrested today in the Central District of California are being arraigned, starting this morning, in United States District Court in Los Angeles.  If they are convicted in this case, most of the defendants would be subject to mandatory minimum sentences of 10 years in federal prison and potential sentences of life without parole.