MacArthur Park Crackdown
LAPD, DEA Launch Major Anti-Narcotics Operation in MacArthur Park Fentanyl Hotspot, Detaining 19+
Law enforcement carried out a second multi-agency anti-narcotics operation at Los Angeles’ MacArthur Park on Thursday, with about 50 LAPD officers and 50 DEA agents conducting a targeted walk-through and detentions as authorities warned people over loudspeakers that they could be detained, searched, or arrested. Officials said the focus was “illegal narcotics activity,” describing the area as a fentanyl hotspot and an open-air drug market, and they stressed the operation is not connected to immigration enforcement. By early afternoon, multiple outlets reported at least six arrests by around 3:30 p.m., and other reporting said at least 19 people were detained during the sweep. The action followed a May operation that resulted in arrests of 18 people, including those believed to be major sources of fentanyl and methamphetamine in the park. Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman and U.S. Attorney’s office officials indicated the crackdown would continue beyond a single day and involve coordination with community groups, while ABC7 and others described it as part of the “Free MacArthur Park” effort ahead of the World Cup.
Key Points
A heavy police presence was visible at the park, including a BearCat military-style vehicle near 7th Street, as officers and federal agents carried out the sweep.
LAPD Deputy Chief German Hurtado said the operation is a joint effort “to clean up the park” and to make arrests both of “those peddling drugs and those under the influence of narcotics.”
ABC7 reported that the prior (May) raid—which preceded Thursday’s operation—expanded beyond MacArthur Park to include arrests in Calabasas, San Gabriel, and South L.A., according to the DEA.
NBC News reported that First Assistant U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli, District Attorney Nathan Hochman, and DEA Los Angeles head Brian Clark were present during the Thursday walk-through, alongside the LAPD and DEA teams.
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