Federal agents arrest 12 alleged members of LA's massive 18th Street gang drug trafficking operation

Federal law and order operation targets LA's largest street gang as authorities arrest alleged 18th Street members using homeless tents for drugs. Los Angeles Federal agents arrest 12 alleged members of LA's massive 18th Street gang drug trafficking operation Prosecutors say the organization used homeless encampments as cover while trafficking drugs across Los Angeles By Bonny Chu Fox News Published March 5, 2026 9:47pm EST Facebook Twitter Threads Flipboard Comments Print Email Add Fox News on Google close Video Fox News Flash top headlines for March 5 Fox News Flash top headlines are here. Check out what's clicking on FoxNews.com. NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles! A dozen alleged members and associates of a notorious Los Angeles street gang were arrested in a sweeping federal takedown Thursday, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Central District of California announced. Authorities say the suspects are tied to 18th Street, the city’s largest street gang, which evaded law enforcement by using tents to blend in with the homeless population. Investigators allege the group trafficked drugs across Los Angeles, operating in MacArthur Park, Skid Row, Hollywood and the San Fernando Valley. "A total of seven federal indictments charge members of this gang," Bill Essayli, the first assistant U.S. attorney for the Central District of California, said. "18th Street has harmed MacArthur Park residents and turned the park into a crime-infested area full of drug addicts and the criminals who enable them." The gang is alleged to have grown into a massive criminal organization with ties to the Sinaloa Cartel and the Mexican Mafia. Members face charges including murder, extortion, racketeering, conspiracy and drug trafficking. In one instance, prosecutors said a member murdered a drug trafficker in retaliation for failing to pay the gang’s extortionate "taxes." At least 12 suspects were arrested Thursday during "Operation Dead Horse." (@USAttyEssayli/X) As part of the takedown known as "Operation Dead Horse," authorities arrested the gang’s alleged street boss and second-in-command, Keiko Marie Gonzalez, 59, known as "Moms." Prosecutors say she communicated directly with an incarcerated Mexican Mafia member who maintained ultimate control over the 18th Street gang from a California state prison, acting as the critical link between the prison leadership and street-level operation. Prosecutors say she held the authority to order the murders of her own gang members, rivals, and other drug traffickers. In July 2022, she called for the murder of a woman who failed to pay extortion "taxes" related to her drug trafficking activities within their territory..ALLEGED SINALOA CARTEL FENTANYL PRODUCER CHARGED IN NEWLY UNSEALED US FEDERAL INDICTMENT 18th Street gang trafficks drugs across Los Angeles, operating in MacArthur Park, Skid Row, Hollywood and the San Fernando Valley. (@USAttyEssayli/X) Two other members, George Carillo and Carlos Beltran, are charged with murder in aid of racketeering for this killing. Along with drug trafficking and murder, the gang ran illegal gambling establishments known as "casitas" and engaged in organized extortion.Prosecutors said agents on Thursday seized roughly $80,000 in cash, six firearms, as well as several pounds of drugs. During the overall investigation, law enforcement recovered 175 pounds of fentanyl and methamphetamine. Mexican Mafia-affiliated 18th Street gang allegedly operated in homeless encampments to evade law enforcement. (@USAttyEssayli/X)Six other suspects remain at large, authorities said. Two are believed to have fled internationally, one to Mexico and another to Guatemala. CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP Federal authorties seize several pounds of meth and fentanyl during Thursday's seizure. (@USAttyEssayli/X)Five of the defendants arrested were scheduled to be arraigned Thursday in the United States District Court in downtown Los Angeles.If convicted, street boss Gonzalez faces a maximum sentence of life in prison and the accused shooters, Carillo and Beltran, face mandatory life sentences. Related Article ‘Family Mob’ gang members, associates charged in major Minneapolis fentanyl trafficking case: DOJ Bonny Chu is a Digital Production Assistant at Fox News Digital. Related Topics Los AngelesDrugsCrimeCaliforniaPolice and Law Enforcement True Crime The hottest stories ripped from the headlines, from crime to courts, legal and scandal. Arrives Weekly By entering your email and clicking the Subscribe button, you agree to the Fox News Privacy Policy and Terms of Use, and agree to receive content and promotional communications from Fox News. You understand that you can opt-out at any time. Subscribe Subscribed Subscribe You've successfully subscribed to this newsletter!