Los Angeles Port Police help bust $12.5M meth lab, $2M Nike theft ring

Los Angeles Port Police task force officers helped investigators seize 1,378 pounds of methamphetamine worth approximately $12. 5 million in Los Angeles County. Authorities executed a July 28 search warrant at a suspected methamphetamine production site in a remote desert area.

The operation recovered crystal methamphetamine and highly condensed liquid methamphetamine. Investigators also recovered roughly $80,000 in U. S. currency. Officers took three Mexican nationals responsible for manufacturing the narcotics into custody. The Port announced significant breakthroughs in multiple regional criminal investigations Sunday.

The agency described its specialized Task Force Officers as long-standing support for federal and local partners. Port Police officers assist narcotics trafficking, precursor chemical importation, illegal manufacturing operations and large-scale cargo theft investigations. Those efforts occur throughout the region.

The DEA New York Field Division and DEA Los Angeles High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Group 48 began a joint inquiry in January. The agencies investigated a Sinaloa Cartel drug-trafficking organization operating in the Los Angeles area.

Confidential investigative methods produced seizures of 20,000 fentanyl pills and 20 pounds of methamphetamine over six months. Investigators later used ground surveillance, electronic monitoring and aerial reconnaissance to locate the clandestine laboratory.

Agencies execute July 28 search warrant HIDTA 48 joined the DEA Special Response Team during the operation. The DEA Clandestine Laboratory Unit also participated in the search. Los Angeles Port Police, Hawthorne Police Department and El Segundo Police Department joined those teams.

The warrant targeted the suspected drug-production location investigators found through their surveillance work. Port Police also highlighted a separate Riverside County narcotics investigation. Officers recovered 119 kilos of cocaine and two firearms during that case. Investigators identified three suspects, according to the agency.

The announcement did not identify those individuals or describe potential charges. Cargo Theft Task Force Officers also dismantled a sophisticated theft ring in a separate commercial-crimes operation. The group was responsible for stealing more than $2 million in Nike merchandise, according to Port Police.

That investigation led to felony indictments against 12 individuals. The agency did not release the defendants’ names or list the felony counts. Captain cites regional safety and supply-chain protection “These operations highlight the dedication, expertise, and collaborative strength of our Task Force Officers,” Los Angeles Port Police Capt.

Daniel Cobos said. Cobos said their work makes a measurable impact on regional safety. He also connected those efforts to drug-trafficking suppression and commercial supply-chain protection. The Port released the information Aug. 3. Los Angeles Port Police is a specialized law enforcement agency. The force operates 24 hours daily, seven days weekly.

It protects the Port of Los Angeles from threats by land, sea, air and cyberspace. More than 300 sworn officers and civilian personnel serve within the agency. The Port Police jurisdiction spans 7,500 acres. Its coverage includes 43 miles of waterfront. The force’s task officers support investigations beyond port property.

The announcement did not specify dates for the Riverside County or Nike cargo-theft cases. Why It Matters: A single regional task force can support investigations involving drugs, firearms, suspected manufacturing and stolen freight. Freight professionals need to understand that cargo theft may draw attention from broader law-enforcement operations.

Click here for more articles on cargo theft and freight fraud by Phil Brink.

CHP finds $500K in stolen cargo tied to multiple Southern California thefts – FreightWaves Louisiana bribery scheme gave 124 people CDLs without training or tests – FreightWaves $1M recovery in Carolinas truck-theft case includes 13 semis, 3 trailers – FreightWaves The post Los Angeles Port Police help bust $12.

5M meth lab, $2M Nike theft ring appeared first on FreightWaves.