Federal agents have launched a massive takedown of the notorious 18th Street Gang — a major player in the drugs epidemic crippling Los Angeles.
The Post joined as the FBI raided an apartment block in the east of the city early on Thursday after a years-long investigation into the “supergang.”
The crew has been a blight on LA for years. It is a top trafficker of methamphetamine and fentanyl, with a special focus of their operations in MacArthur Park and Skid Row.
Federal agents have launched a massive takedown of the notorious 18th Street Gang — a major player in the drugs epidemic. Carlin Stiehl for California Post
The FBI spearheaded a raid on an apartment block in east Los Angeles early Thursday after a years-long investigation into the “supergang.” Carlin Stiehl for California Post
The 18th Street Gang has been a blight on the city for years. It is a top trafficker of methamphetamine and fentanyl, with a special focus of their operations in MacArthur Park and Skid Row. Carlin Stiehl for California PostAssistant U.S. Attorney Jena McCabe said Monday’s raids – dubbed Operation Dead Horse- targeted the leadership structure to crush the network of drug dealing, extorsion, murder, racketeering and gambling.
From Tuesday through Thursday agents arrested 12 people and conducted more than ten searches and raids of properties and vehicles, she said.
Those detained included top brass:
- Keiko Marie Gonzalez, 59, aka “Moms”
- Edward Escalante, 49, aka “Toro,”
- Edward Alvarenga, 27, aka “Tito,”
- George Carillo, 60, aka “Chuco,”
- Carlos Beltran, 48,
- Felipe De Los Angeles, 51, aka “Indio,”
- Edwin Martinez, 32, aka “Dreamer.”
“The goal is to stop the violence and also stop the trafficking of dangerous drugs like fentanyl,” McCabe added.
Charges brought against some of the members this week included murder, drug dealing, illegal gambling, racketeering, extorsion and more, McCabe said.
During the investigation the feds seized more than 175lbs of meth and fentanyl, $80,000 in cash and six firearms.
The raids brought in some of the leaders of the most dangerous gang in Los Angeles. FBI Los AngelesThey are still looking for six more fugitives, with one believed to have escaped to Mexico and another to Guatemala.
First Assistant United States Attorney Bill Essayli said: “For far too long, 18th Street and other criminals have been allowed to turn one of the city’s most beautiful public spaces into a crime-infested pit. That ends today.”
He added: “We are committed to eliminating violent organized crime and open-air drug markets from Los Angeles.”
Robert Molvar, the Acting Assistant Director in Charge of the FBI’s Los Angeles Field Office, said: “The distribution of illegal narcotics in our communities is unacceptable, as is the associated violent crime that many times affects innocent residents.
“This investigation should send a message to 18th Street Gang members and their Mexican Mafia overlords that we’re going to continue to work with our law enforcement partners to target those responsible for the distribution of illegal narcotics which enrich the gang while they prey on and poison members of our community.”
From Tuesday through Thursday agents and police arrested more than 11 people and conducted more than ten searches and raids of properties and vehicles, she said. FBI Los Angeles
Charges brought against members of the 18th St gang this week include murder, drug dealing, illegal gambling, racketeering, extorsion and more, McCabe said. Carlin Stiehl for California Post
More than a dozen federal agents met in a darkened parking lot in Alhambra at 5 am ahead of the action. Carlin Stiehl for California PostThe raid, witnessed by the Post, was just one in a series of nearly a dozen warrants served on the gang this week.
It started when more than a dozen federal agents met in a darkened parking lot in Alhambra at 5 am ahead of the action.
They donned tactical vests with FBI logos and performed checks on automatic weapons, shotguns and pistols before forming a caravan of seven unmarked cars that sped to the apartment.
Once there, agents entered the residence within an apartment complex, bringing with them battering rams, weaponry and boxes and plastic bins for collecting evidence.
They donned tactical vests with FBI logos and performed checks on automatic weapons, shotguns and pistols before forming a caravan of seven unmarked cars that sped to the apartment. Carlin Stiehl for California Post
The agents searched the property, exiting with a bin and paper bag filled with evidence. FBI field agent Eric Turner declined to provide any details on raid. Carlin Stiehl for California Post
The FBI and federal prosecutors on Thursday set up four trailers and about ten tents for the purpose of photographing and cataloging those arrested and items taken in the searches and raids. Carlin Stiehl for California PostThe agents searched the property, exiting with a bin and paper bag filled with evidence. FBI field agent Eric Turner declined to provide any details on raid.
He just said the action targeted an associate of the 18th Street Gang. Once taken into custody, members who were arrested were brought to a command post of The Los Angeles Fire Department Foundation in Elysian Park.
The FBI and federal prosecutors set up four trailers and about ten tents for the purpose of photographing and cataloging those arrested and items taken in the raids.
Agents handled plastic bags of cash and took photos of shackled suspects beneath the shade of the tents, entering information on the evidence and individuals being processed into laptop computers.
Download The California Post App, follow us on social, and subscribe to our newsletters
California Post News: Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, X, YouTube, WhatsApp, LinkedIn
California Post SportsFacebook, Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, X
California Post Opinion
California Post Newsletters: Sign up here!
California Post App: Download here!
Home delivery: Sign up here!
Page Six Hollywood: Sign up here!
FBI agents said they were pleased with the arrests made. McCabe added: “By taking out the leadership, we’re hoping to make a huge dent.
“This is one of the most violent gangs we have in Los Angeles and their reach is very far, so taking out their leadership, we’re hoping to solve a lot of those problems.”
