SANTA ANA, Calif. (AP) — More than two dozen members and associates of the Mexican Mafia were arrested Thursday during an early morning crackdown across Southern California, federal authorities said.
The FBI and other federal and local agencies executed search and arrest warrants at approximately 30 locations mostly in Orange County, south of Los Angeles, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
A total of 43 individuals, including those already in custody, have been indicted on charges that encompass murder, kidnapping, extortion, and drug trafficking, as well as operating illegal gambling operations, prosecutors stated.
Authorities recovered 120 pounds (54 kilos) of methamphetamine, over eight pounds (four kilos) of fentanyl, along with 25 firearms and more than $30,000 in cash during the operation.
“The items we're removing from the streets are extremely hazardous. These individuals exhibit no regard for human life and are solely focused on financial gain,” First Assistant United States Attorney Bill Essayli declared at a news conference.
The Mexican Mafia, originally formed in the 1950s within a juvenile detention center, has evolved into a prominent international crime syndicate that oversees smuggling, drug trade, and extortion operations, often from within California’s prison system.
The indictment alleges that one incarcerated leader managed the gang’s activities using contraband cellphones from his prison cell, directing street gang members to engage in kidnappings and assaults.
Moreover, the gang has reportedly been involved in selling not just fentanyl and meth, but also heroin and cocaine.
According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, “The organization operated illegal gambling enterprises, situated within commercial strip malls and private homes. They enforced extortionate taxes and ensured the security of these illicit businesses, often through violence.”
The indictment further associates the gang with a murder that occurred at a motel under gang control in Anaheim.
Defendants are set to participate in initial appearances Thursday afternoon in federal courts located in Los Angeles and Orange counties.
