Feds Bust Gang's Drug Market in MacArthur Park
Federal authorities arrested a man for allegedly operating an open-air drug market for the 18th Street gang in Los Angeles's MacArthur Park. The bust follows an investigation into the gang's activities, with officials claiming the park was being used as a central hub for illicit sales.
The multi-agency investigation, dubbed "Operation Dead Horse," resulted in the arrest of 12 individuals connected to the 18th Street gang. Federal prosecutors have unsealed seven grand jury indictments with charges including racketeering conspiracy, murder, extortion, and drug trafficking. Six additional suspects remain fugitives, with some believed to have fled to Mexico and Guatemala. Among those arrested was 59-year-old Keiko Marie Gonzalez, also known as "Moms" and "La Reina," who allegedly served as the gang's street boss. Prosecutors claim she took orders from her husband, an incarcerated member of the Mexican Mafia, and in July 2022, ordered the murder of a drug trafficker who failed to pay the gang's extortionate "taxes." The gang transformed the park into a marketplace for fentanyl and methamphetamine, using tents to blend in with homeless encampments and shield their activities from law enforcement. This network of dealers also allegedly controlled a significant portion of the drug trade in Downtown Los Angeles's Skid Row area. Throughout the investigation, authorities have seized over 175 pounds of methamphetamine and fentanyl. The day of the arrests alone yielded approximately $80,000 in cash, 10 pounds of fentanyl, five pounds of methamphetamine, and six firearms. The 18th Street gang is one of the largest and most violent street gangs in Los Angeles, with a transnational presence extending into Mexico and Central America. First Assistant U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli stated the goal is to eliminate "violent organized crime and open-air drug markets from Los Angeles." This operation represents a significant disruption to a criminal enterprise that has long impacted the Westlake community. Councilmember Eunisses Hernandez, who represents the district, has been focused on expanding outreach programs and housing efforts alongside increased enforcement to address the complex issues of crime, homelessness, and drug activity in the area.
