flooowing down!
Posted on 03/06/2026 11:31:26 AM PST by bitt
LOS ANGELES – Twelve members and associates of 18th Street – Los Angeles’s largest street gang – were arrested today on criminal charges, including the murder of a drug trafficker who failed to pay the gang’s extortionate “taxes,” and further alleging that the gang controlled the city’s MacArthur Park as an open-air drug marketplace, using tents to blend in with the homeless population and avoid detection by law enforcement.
Five of the defendants arrested today are expected to make their initial appearances and be arraigned this afternoon in United States District Court in downtown Los Angeles.
During this investigation, federal and local law enforcement have seized more than 175 pounds of methamphetamine and fentanyl. Today, law enforcement seized approximately $80,000 in cash, 10 pounds of fentanyl, five pounds of methamphetamine, and six firearms.
A total of seven federal grand jury indictments have been returned against members and associates of 18th Street. The main federal indictment, which contains seven counts, charges the following seven Los Angeles-based members and associates of 18th Street, with one count of racketeering conspiracy:
Keiko Marie Gonzalez, 59, a.k.a. “Moms,” “La Señora,” and “La Reina,” Edward Escalante, 49, a.k.a. “Toro,” Edward Alvarenga, 27, a.k.a. “Tito,” George Carillo, 60, a.k.a. “Chuco,” Carlos Beltran, 48, a.k.a. “Negro,” Felipe De Los Angeles, 51, a.k.a. “Indio,” and Edwin Martinez, 32, a.k.a. “Dreamer.” Law enforcement is looking for six fugitives in this matter. One fugitive is believed to be in Mexico and another is believed to be in Guatemala.
“For far too long, 18th Street and other criminals have been allowed to turn one of the city’s most beautiful public spaces into a crime-infested pit. That ends today,” said First Assistant United States Attorney Bill Essayli. “We are committed to eliminating violent organized crime and open-air drug markets from Los Angeles.”
(Excerpt) Read more at dea.gov ...
P
...plus someone left the cake out in the rain...
Yes, it used to be. Grew up in LA and remember the jewel it once was. The pictures I see of it now leave me heartbroken.
I don’t think that I can take it...
LA is beyond corrupt. The locally elected Councilwoman objected to the lake in MacArthur Park from being drained. She was protecting the cartels from having the bodies, weapons and evidence of their crimes that were dumped in the lake from being exposed.
I’ll never have that recipe again.
Definitely not the McArthur Park of musical fame.
I was at MacArthur Park on the island of Leyte in the Philippines where General MacArthur came ashore, and the song was playing in my head. I didn’t see any cakes, and it wasn’t raining though.
Let 40 million people in from wherever, and this is what you get.
Sad but true.
Suspect's Mother: "My son is still basically a good boy, your honor."
Judge: "I agree. One bad day can be overlooked. Case dismissed. You're free to go, son."
Defendant's Lawyer: "Your honor, that amount was for my client's personal use and as such cannot be tied to a larger indictment for gang activity in narcotics."
Judge: "Agree. Case dismissed."
I think their nicknames are funny. I think the one formerly known as “Bad Bunny” had to change his name when he found out the famous guy already had the name. Changed it “Fuzzy Pink Iceman.”
Yep they have been coming ever since Columbus sailed the
ocean blue in 1492. Where the newcomers took their land
rounded them up and put them on reservations. Then those
newcomers sailed to Africa and brought in their natives to
do the hard work plow, plant, tend till time to harvest, clean
and put the items though the correct process for use of the
product during the winter months, etc. Spring comes and the
process starts all over again. Enjoy till death puts us apart.
notice that all of these arrests and charges were by the Feds, and NOT by local LEOs ...
flooowing down!
Twelve down, 12,000 to go.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.