THE ANGELS – 4 alleged members of a San Fernando Valley-based drug trafficking ring have been arrested in the present day on a 15-count federal grand jury indictment charging them with operating an operation that bought cocaine, methamphetamine and fentanyl.
The next 4 defendants have been arrested this morning and are scheduled to be arraigned this afternoon in U.S. District Courtroom in downtown Los Angeles:
- Giselle Buraye, 23, aka “Giselle Haidy Dykhouse,” “Bandida,” “bandida.loka,” of Van Nuys;
- Efren Meraz, Jr., 35, aka “Jr.”, “Junior,” of Sylmar;
- Max Roman-Betancourt, 41, of Sunland; and
- Esteban Armas, 36, of Panorama Metropolis.
Of the three remaining defendants, Oscar Alejandro Melendez, 50, aka “Ozzy,” “Oz,” of Van Nuys, and Robert Carlton Lavilette, 68, of Ventura, are anticipated to be arraigned within the coming days. Sarkis Kyurkchian, 40, aka “Z,” aka “Sam,” of North Hollywood, is a fugitive and needed by regulation enforcement.
All seven defendants have been charged with conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute managed substances. Buraye can be charged with possession and intent to distribute methamphetamine, possession and intent to distribute fentanyl, and distribution of fentanyl.
As a part of this investigation, regulation enforcement seized 19 kilograms (42 kilos) of methamphetamine, 58 kilograms (128 kilos) of cocaine, 3 kilograms (6.6 kilos) of fentanyl powder, and two firearms . Regulation enforcement estimates that the worth of the seized medicine exceeds $1 million. In all this case, greater than $150,000 in United States forex was seized.
Throughout search warrants executed in the present day at 5 places within the San Fernando Valley, regulation enforcement seized greater than 14 firearms, 2 kilos of methamphetamine, $153,000 in United States forex and varied narcotics.
“Probably addictive medicine like fentanyl and methamphetamine are devastating households and communities,” stated U.S. Legal professional Martin Estrada. “With these expenses now we have dismantled a drug trafficking group that places earnings over individuals's lives. We are going to proceed to do every little thing in our energy to make sure that each resident has the chance to reside in security.”
“Lowering violent crime in our group and throughout our nation is ATF's high precedence,” stated ATF Los Angeles Area Division Particular Agent in Cost Christopher Bombardiere. “This case illustrates the significance of real relationships between regulation enforcement companies to maintain our communities protected. Stopping the unlawful and extremely harmful stream of narcotics from this ring will make the Valley safer tonight.
“The fruits of this investigation is an instance of the sturdy partnerships constructed between federal and native regulation enforcement companies centered on the combat in opposition to drug and gun trafficking,” stated DEA Ventura Resident Workplace, Resident Agent in Cost Ryan Olson. “Members of this felony group have been concerned within the distribution of fentanyl and different harmful medicine which can be poisoning our communities. The DEA is dedicated to creating our communities safer by eradicating violent criminals and harmful medicine from the streets. We are going to proceed to maneuver ahead and use all vital sources to dismantle the most important felony organizations which have a unfavorable influence on our communities.”
In accordance with the indictment returned on Tuesday, Buraye, Melendez and Meraz led the operation acquiring tablets of fentanyl, methamphetamine and cocaine. The trio, together with Kyurkchian, allegedly provided the medicine to Lavilette and Bentancourt, who then bought the medicine on the streets. Armas allegedly saved the narcotics and Buraye and Melendez allegedly bought the medicine to prospects.
On April 14, 2021, Buraye and Mendez bought roughly 1,000 fentanyl tablets, and have been charged with aiding and abetting, and distribution of fentanyl.
In March 2022, Buraye bought greater than 700 fentanyl tablets.
A search warrant executed in Might 2022 at Armas' residence resulted within the seizure of two,504 grams (roughly 5.5 kilos) of fentanyl powder, 57 kilograms (roughly 125 kilos) of cocaine, 10.92 kilograms (roughly 215 kilograms of medication) and 215 kilograms of medication in 2152 $. , in accordance with courtroom paperwork.
The indictment comprises allegations {that a} defendant dedicated a criminal offense. Each defendant is presumed harmless till confirmed responsible in courtroom.
If convicted of all expenses, every defendant faces a statutory most sentence of life in federal jail and a compulsory minimal sentence of 10 years in federal jail.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; the Drug Enforcement Administration; and the Los Angeles Police Division are investigating this matter. The Interagency Metropolitan Police Apprehension Crime Activity Pressure (LA IMPACT), IRS Felony Investigation, and the Ventura County Sheriff's Workplace assisted on this investigation.
This case is the results of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Activity Forces (OCDETF) investigation led by america Legal professional's Workplace for the Central District of California, ATF, DEA and IRS. The principle mission of the OCDETF program is to establish, disrupt and dismantle essentially the most severe drug trafficking, firearms trafficking, and cash laundering organizations, and people primarily liable for the unlawful drug provide of the nation OCDETF makes use of an intelligence-driven, multi-agency method that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and native regulation enforcement companies in opposition to felony networks.
Assistant United States Legal professional MiRi Music of the Worldwide Narcotics, Cash Laundering and Racketeering Part is prosecuting this case.
