20 Arrested After Drug Raid in Watts
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Los Angeles police, federal agents and officials from the state Department of Corrections arrested 20 people and seized a shotgun and a handgun during a raid in the Nickerson Gardens housing project in Watts on Thursday afternoon.
About 150 law enforcement officers, including agents from the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, took part in the 90-minute raid about 2 p.m., in which seven narcotics-related search warrants were served.
“We hope to curb narcotics activities in the area,” said Capt. Terry Hara of the LAPD’s Southeast station. Hara said police had received complaints from residents about narcotics sales and gangs in the area.
As they worked, police distributed fliers in English and Spanish.
“A violent street gang has been involved in numerous violent crimes in your neighborhood,” the fliers read. “The goal of our efforts is to incarcerate those involved ... and return the community back to your families.”
Those arrested, including three juveniles, were booked on narcotics-related charges, including possession of narcotics and possession for sale.
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