LOS ANGELES — Four suspected members of a San Fernando Valley drug trafficking crew were arrested Wednesday on federal charges alleging sales of cocaine, methamphetamine and fentanyl.
During search warrants executed at five locations, law enforcement personnel seized 14 firearms, $153,000 in currency, two pounds of methamphetamine and assorted other illegal narcotics, according to authorities.
A 15-count federal grand jury indictment filed Tuesday charges seven defendants with conspiracy and other charges.
The newly arrested suspects — Giselle Buraye, 23, of Van Nuys; Efren Meraz Jr., 35, of Sylmar; Max Roman-Betancourt, 41, of Sunland; and Esteban Armas, 36, of Panorama City — were scheduled to be arraigned Wednesday afternoon in Los Angeles federal court.
“Reducing violent crime in our community and throughout our country is the priority of ATF,” Special Agent in Charge Christopher Bombardiere of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives Los Angeles Field Division said in a news release.
“This case illustrates the importance of genuine relationships between law enforcement agencies to keep our communities safe. Stopping the illegal and highly dangerous flow of narcotics by this ring will make the Valley safer tonight.”
As part of the three-year multi-agency investigation, agents allegedly seized 42 pounds of methamphetamine, 128 pounds of cocaine, 6.6 pounds of fentanyl powder, and two firearms. Law enforcement officials estimate that the value of the drugs seized exceeds $1 million.
Six of the defendants are in custody. A seventh, Sarkis Kyurkchian, 40, of North Hollywood, is currently being sought.
According to the indictment, Buraye, Meraz and Oscar Melendez, 50, of Van Nuys, spearheaded the operation by obtaining fentanyl pills, methamphetamine and cocaine. The trio, along with Kyurkchian, provided the drugs to Robert Lavilette, 68, of Ventura, and Roman-Bentancourt, who would then sell the drugs in the street,…
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