The Antelope Valley Times

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18 arrested in multi-agency operation in Lancaster

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LANCASTER – A three-year investigation into illegal firearms and drug activities in the Antelope Valley has netted 18 arrests, authorities reported Tuesday.

The multi-agency probe that began in 2012 was conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department and the Los Angeles Police Department, according to Lancaster Community Relations Deputy Joshua Stamsek.

“More than 50 undercover operations were conducted during the investigation,” Stamsek stated in a news release. “Law enforcement purchased or seized approximately one pound of crack cocaine, approximately one pound of methamphetamine, over 500 Ecstasy pills and 35 firearms.”

“Seven of the 35 seized firearms were found to be weapons defined under the National Firearms Act,” Stamsek continued. “One additional firearm and narcotics were recovered in today’s [Oct. 6] enforcement activity.”

A total of 26 individuals have been indicted in this case on allegations that include possession of an NFA weapon, felon in possession of a firearm, dealing firearms without a license and possession with intent to distribute narcotics, according to Stamsek.

Thirteen of the defendants are facing federal charges and 13 are facing state charges, according to ATF Special Agent Meredith Davis.

Eighteen of the defendants were taken into custody Tuesday morning from the Lancaster, Long Beach and Van Nuys areas, Davis said. Some of the defendants were already in police custody pending other charges, Davis added.

The defendants, whose names were not released, face a range of sentences from five years to life in prison if convicted, officials said.

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Filed Under: Crime/ Safety

15 comments for "18 arrested in multi-agency operation in Lancaster"

  1. Besides half of them will be out sooner than later there is no room in the system for drug offenders

      • Enemy, we would appreciate it if you and your Mongol MC brothers would every once in a while help those in need, complete strangers that you may find in dire straits, please, lift them up, show that a fraternity of brothers is not just all about, fear, violence and intimidation. You have love for life, nature and the things not of this world in your hearts. Yes, FTW and its sick system of control but to be harbingers of Light would wow us so much more!

  3. A failing criminal justice system all the way around. It’s overwhelming and it’s going to get worse.

    • Apparently you are dumb and blind, or perhaps just over imaginative. What connection are you pretending exists between these guys getting busted on weapons charges and the reforms aimed at getting nonviolent drug offenders off the prisoner rolls? Other than the obvious fact that getting non violent drug offenders out of the way makes more room for criminals that are actually dangerous, of course.

      • You make some very valid points Tim, but there is a downside to releasing of prisoners, prop 47, etc. busting all of these previous felonies down to misdemeanors does carry with it its consequences. While the released prisoners may be non violent, they will soon realize they won’t be going to jail for simple possession anymore. Which in turn means they are careless about getting caught with said paraphernalia and Narcotics. They know they will receive a citation and be on their way. One problem, their Narcotics have been confiscated and they’re out of money for more. Next step? Break into that car for the spare change or purse, or steal items from a store to trade for more Narcotics. I see it being a double edge sword. We may have more room for violent offenders ensuring they do the time they deserve, but you will also see theft and property crimes spike (which they already have.) something to think about.

        • Maybe. But I think your correlation is based on a broad “people steal for their drug money” premise that isn’t necessarily accurate. My experience is that people steal because that is their way, and other people work because that is their way, and other people wait in lines and apply for assistance because that is their way. How they spend what they get is somewhat independent of that.

          However, all those non violent drug offenders that were happily working to pay for their dope, once they spent a good chunk of time in prison for pretty much no good reason, are going to find it is a lot harder to get a job. And of course they met plenty of people who told them “Work? Why in the heck were you doing that?”

          • Tim- I can get on board with some of what youre saying. It makes sense. I’m just basing my conclusion/theory on what I have seen at work and how I have noticed the rise in petty thefts since it passed. But yes, I agree with you regarding the average guy who spends his paycheck (from working) on his weekend adventures. Narcotics do their own damage regardless of jail or no jail. Its just hard to think the money and stolen property goes anywhere other than another crime related cause. I’m thinking we can agree that most stolen money doesnt go towards buying diapers and formula (and yes, I’m sure a small amount of it does.)

          • I suspect that more people would turn to crime to take care of their kids than to feed a drug habit, actually.

            There’s an old saying: The most cultured man is three missing meals away from barbarism, but if it his kid missing the meals it may only take one.

        • Drug dealers dont steal its drug users that do those crimes. Its the junkies that you have to watch out for they will kill u for 5 dollars

          • Your a f@$#!ng idiot most addicts are homeless are harmless yeah a petty theft here and there big fn deal get a life loser