Law enforcement officers recently arrested five people associated with the Mexican Mafia prison gang in several locations throughout the Los Angeles, San Bernardino, and Orange counties. Officers also seized methamphetamine, firearms, electronics and illicit proceeds.
The arrests and seizures are part of an ongoing investigation into the Mexican Mafia criminal enterprise. The subjects were indicted for importation of methamphetamine, money laundering, and/or operating an illegal gambling establishment,.
“Removing violent criminals from our streets and seizing their resources is a top priority for the FBI and paramount to our mission of protecting the American people,” Mark Dargis, special agent in charge of the San Diego Field Office, said. “Today’s successful operation is another example of what we can accomplish by working closely with our law enforcement partners on the shared goal of safer communities.”
Law enforcement partner agencies include the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) San Diego Field Office–Imperial County Resident Agency, FBI Los Angeles, FBI SWAT, ATF Los Angeles–El Centro Office, the Imperial County Sheriff’s Office Border Crime Suppression Team, and the U.S. Marshals Service.
The agencies have seized U.S. currency, drugs, firearms, electronics and gambling machines, and executed several search warrants since the start of the investigation.