PALMDALE – Thirteen alleged members of an Antelope Valley criminal street gang were arrested when personnel from multiple law enforcement agencies raided 18 locations in Lancaster and Palmdale, recovering large quantities of guns, ammunition and drugs, authorities said Friday.
Search warrants were served Thursday by detectives from the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department’s Operation Safe Streets Bureau, assisted by the Special Enforcement Bureau, Major Crimes Bureau, Narcotics Bureau and FBI agents.
Authorities allegedly seized 23 firearms, including two AK-47 rifles, high-capacity magazines, ammunition and a large quantity of narcotics. Additionally, suspected C-4 explosives and a mortar allegedly were found at one location.
The 13 suspects were arrested on felony charges, including possession of a destructive device or explosive, felon in possession of a firearm, felon in possession of ammunition, carrying a loaded firearm — not the registered owner, possession of a controlled substance while armed, possession of a machine gun, possession for sale of a controlled substance and possession of methamphetamine for sale.
The suspects were all booked at the sheriff’s Palmdale station and held without bail with a court date scheduled for Monday.
Anyone with information about the case was asked to contact OSS Bureau Lieutenant Daniel Rodriguez at 310-680-2511.
