ORANGE, Calif. (KNX) — A months-long investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and a slew of other law enforcement agencies has crippled two gangs in Southern California, investigators said Wednesday.
Working with the Drug Enforcement Administration and local police agencies, the FBI used confidential informants to make more than 25 illegal purchases of firearms —rifles, hand guns, ghost guns — all traded for large amounts of methamphetamines, fentanyl or both.
The actions were part of infiltrating a drug trafficking and narcotics supply pipeline that runs from Southern California to Texas, according to the FBI.
Assistant FBI Director Kristi Johnson said, so far, 29 people have been arrested and more than 200 illegal guns have been removed from the streets. She said it’s a 50/50 split on who will be charged federally or on state charges.
“The defendants in this particular case have been charged with various violations involving narcotics and weapons,” Johnson said, explaining that some of the firearms related charges include felon in possession of ammunition, possession of a firearm, furtherance of a drug trafficking crime and possession of unregistered firearms and a destructive device.
Johnson said many of the defendants face a five year prison sentence and will have to do 85% of that time before becoming eligible for release.
Investigators told KNX that the actions of the operation have “decimated” the ranks of one Orange County gang and crippled another operating in Los Angeles County and the Inland Empire.
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