Federal agents carried out a raid in California on Wednesday as part of a large-scale operation targeting a notorious open-air drug market known for selling fentanyl and methamphetamine.
The operation, dubbed "Operation Free MacArthur Park," resulted in at least 18 arrests and the seizure of over $10 million worth of fentanyl, in a large-scale joint effort between local and federal authorities, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Central District of California.
"Today, we begin to reclaim MacArthur Park from criminals and drug users to return this public space to the citizens of Los Angeles," said Bill Weinreb, First Assistant U.S. Attorney. "Together with our federal and local law enforcement partners, we are executing multiple arrest and search warrants targeting those who distribute drugs within and around the park."
MacArthur Park, located just west of downtown Los Angeles, is known as a gathering spot for drug users seeking to purchase narcotics, despite being surrounded by apartment buildings and office complexes.