Arrests Smash Mexican Drug Cartel, Police Say
Authorities have arrested 23 people and seized more than $6 million in cash in a breakup of what they described as a major Mexican drug cartel that funneled cocaine from Colombia to Southern California, Burbank police said Wednesday.
The arrests and seizures, completed Tuesday, culminatd a monthlong investigation by officers from the Burbank, Compton, Downey, South Gate and Whittier police departments.
“We feel these are upper-echelon people in a major cartel,” Burbank Police Sgt. Don Goldberg said.
Twenty suspects were arrested in the San Fernando Valley, Los Angeles and Long Beach, Goldberg said, and three were arrested Tuesday in Yuba Cty in Northern California. All are Mexican nationals, he said.
Bail has been set at $1 million each, and arraignment is scheduled today, he said.
Authorities also seized seven cars, five guns, a money counter and about $14,000 worth of cocaine, Goldberg said.
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