Federal authorities arrested 18 people in Los Angeles on Wednesday as part of a crackdown on drug trafficking in MacArthur Park, the Department of Justice announced. The operation targeted an open-air drug market in the park near downtown, which has long struggled with fentanyl use, overdoses, and homelessness.
Charges and Fugitives
A total of 25 people have been charged in federal court with possession with intent to distribute and distribution of a controlled substance, according to the US attorney's office in Los Angeles. Seven of those defendants have not been arrested and are considered fugitives, the DoJ said.
Investigation Details
The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) has been working with the Los Angeles police department and LA sheriff's department since March on an investigation into drug trafficking around MacArthur Park. Authorities conducted surveillance operations, and undercover officers and confidential informants made drug purchases, according to a federal court complaint.
The complaint alleges that two defendants, a couple, serve as main sources of fentanyl powder and methamphetamine in the area, working on behalf of the 18th Street gang. They allegedly hand-delivered narcotics to the Alvarado corridor for stashing in storefronts and distribution to street-level dealers. The couple used their residence as a stash location, the complaint said.
Gang Involvement
Two other groups, the Crazy Riders Gang and MS-13, are also involved in sourcing drugs near MacArthur Park, according to the charges. Gang members rarely sell drugs directly but distribute them to runners who sell on the street.
The 67-page complaint outlines 27 separate drug deals of fentanyl and methamphetamine from March 9 to April 15. Law enforcement seized approximately 18 kilograms (40 pounds) of fentanyl from one defendant's residence.
Legal Proceedings
It was not immediately clear whether any defendants had lawyers. Those arrested are expected to make their first court appearances on Thursday, the DoJ said. The federal public defender's office did not immediately respond to an inquiry.
This is not the first federal action at MacArthur Park. In June 2025, heavily armed immigration agents and national guard troops descended on the park, located in a historic immigrant neighborhood. Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass described that operation as a political stunt that made the city look under siege.
