A federal raid in the San Gabriel Valley on Wednesday led to the arrest of 20 members of the Puente-13 street gang on charges ranging from drug trafficking to kidnapping.
Charges and Arrests
Authorities from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives Los Angeles Field Division, Covina Police Department, Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department and other partnering agencies executed federal and state warrants on Puente-13 gang members and associates. Of the 20 people charged, 16 were arrested on Wednesday while three remained at large; one alleged associate is already in state custody.
Evidence Seized
Investigators seized approximately 10 pounds of methamphetamine, thousands of pills containing fentanyl and carfentanil, a synthetic opioid 100 times more powerful than fentanyl. Dozens of weapons were confiscated, including 71 firearms—14 rifles, one machine‑gun conversion device, four short‑barreled rifles, and three firearms with obliterated serial numbers—along with three pieces of body armor, thousands of rounds of ammunition, and about $9,500 in cash.
Kidnapping Incident
The kidnapping charge stems from a July 2023 incident in which two people were taken against their will because one gang member believed they possessed his belongings, taken during a home burglary earlier that month. One victim was allowed to leave while the other escaped after being severely beaten.
Potential Sentences
If convicted as charged, nine of the defendants could face a life sentence in federal prison.
Key Takeaways
- 20 Puente-13 members charged with drug trafficking, gun sales, shootings, and kidnapping.
- Authorities seized 10 pounds of meth, fentanyl pills, carfentanil, 71 firearms, and $9,500 cash.
- Nine defendants could receive life in federal prison if convicted.
The raid demonstrates a coordinated effort by federal and local law enforcement to dismantle the Puente-13 gang’s criminal operations in the San Gabriel Valley.
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