Authorities this week arrested 4 folks suspected of being members of a San Fernando Valley drug ring that trafficked in cocaine, methamphetamine and fentanyl.
Search warrants have been executed Wednesday at 5 areas within the valley, throughout which authorities discovered greater than 14 firearms, 2 kilos of methamphetamine and $153,000 in money and narcotics.
All through their investigation, authorities have seized 42 kilos of methamphetamine, 128 kilos of cocaine and 6.6 kilos of fentanyl — together with two firearms and greater than $150,000 in money. The worth of these medicine exceeds $1 million, based on regulation enforcement estimates.
Arrested Wednesday morning have been 23-year-old Van Nuys resident Giselle Buraye, 35-year-old Sylmar resident Efren Meraz Jr., 41-year-old Sunland resident Max Roman-Betancourt and 36-year-old Panorama Metropolis resident Esteban Armas, based on a information launch from the U.S. lawyer’s workplace for the Central District of California.
Two others, Oscar Alejandro Melendez, 50, of Van Nuys and Robert Carlton Lavilette, 68, of Ventura, are anticipated to be arraigned within the subsequent few days. A seventh suspect — Sarkis Kyurkchian, 40, of North Hollywood — stays at giant.
Sarkis Kyurkchian, 40, aka “Z,” aka “Sam,” of North Hollywood.
(ATF)
“Powerfully addictive medicine resembling fentanyl and methamphetamine devastate households and communities,” U.S. Atty. Martin Estrada mentioned in a press release. “With these prices now we have dismantled a drug trafficking group that put income over folks’s lives.”
All seven suspects have been charged with conspiracy to distribute and possession with the intent to distribute managed substances, based on the U.S. lawyer’s workplace. Buraye has additionally been charged with possession and intent to distribute methamphetamine and fentanyl, in addition to distribution of fentanyl.
Based on the indictment, Buraye, Melendez and Meraz procured fentanyl tablets, meth and cocaine that they, together with Kyurkchian, gave to Lavilette and Betancourt, who then offered them on the road.
Authorities allege Buraye and Melendez would additionally promote medicine to clients.
On April 14, 2021, the 2 offered about 1,000 fentanyl tablets, based on officers.
Authorities additionally say Buraye offered greater than 700 fentanyl tablets in March 2022.
Buraye and Melendez have been charged with aiding and abetting, in addition to distributing fentanyl.
Armas saved the medicine, authorities say. Throughout a search at Armas’ home in Might 2022, regulation enforcement seized roughly 5.5 kilos of fentanyl powder, 125 kilos of cocaine, 24 kilos of methamphetamine and $152,602, based on courtroom paperwork.
If convicted, every defendant would face a most sentence of life in jail, with a compulsory minimal sentence of 10 years.
