Los Angeles, California – Thirteen individuals linked to the Mexican Mafia prison gang are facing charges for their involvement in a drug smuggling operation and violent attack at the Los Angeles County jail. The Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office has taken action against these alleged members or associates of the notorious criminal organization.
Following an investigation by the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Major Crimes Bureau and the FBI’s San Gabriel Valley Safe Streets Task Force, authorities uncovered a scheme involving the smuggling of narcotics into the county jail. The operation was reportedly orchestrated by high-ranking Mexican Mafia affiliates outside the jail, under the direction of a member incarcerated in a state prison.
According to investigators, a so-called Mexican Mafia “facilitator” relayed orders to gang members inside the Los Angeles County jail, instructing them to violently assault an individual who falsely claimed affiliation with the Mexican Mafia. This incident was seen as a serious violation within the criminal organization. The victim was reportedly attacked and required medical treatment for their injuries.
The investigation also revealed the coordination of drug trafficking within the jail by Mexican Mafia leaders known as “shotcallers” and a secretary. The seized narcotics were allegedly sold to other inmates, with the proceeds benefiting the criminal enterprise. Additionally, authorities seized a significant amount of drugs, firearms, cash, and communication devices during a search at the facilitator’s residence.
Among those charged, two defendants were arrested at their residences, one in Long Beach and the other in Carson, while one was apprehended in Compton. Eight others are currently in custody on unrelated charges, and two individuals are considered fugitives, being sought by law enforcement.
The case is being prosecuted by Deputy-In-Charge Lou Avila and Deputy District Attorney Abbigail Briones of the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office Prison Crimes Unit. The investigation was a collaborative effort between the Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department Major Crimes Bureau and the FBI’s San Gabriel Valley Safe Streets Task Force, dedicated to combating gang violence within the county jail system.