Authorities announced on Wednesday that a major bust resulted in the arrest and indictment of seven individuals who are believed to be members of a drug trafficking ring in the San Fernando Valley.
Several individuals have been arrested following a thorough three-year investigation conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Drug Enforcement Administration, and the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD).
In a major operation, law enforcement authorities have confiscated a staggering amount of illegal drugs, totaling over $1 million in value. This significant bust also resulted in the seizure of more than 16 firearms and a substantial sum of $300,000 in cash. The operation took place across five different locations in the San Fernando Valley. According to the ATF, authorities have confiscated a significant amount of illegal substances. The seized narcotics consist of 44 pounds of methamphetamine, 128 pounds of cocaine, and 6.6 pounds of fentanyl powder.
Authorities have released the names of the individuals believed to be involved:
- Giselle Buraye, a 23-year-old individual also known as “Giselle Haidy Dykhouse,” “Bandida,” and “bandida.loka,” hails from Van Nuys.
- Efren Meraz Jr., 35, also known as “Jr.” and “Junior,” hails from Sylmar.
- A 41-year-old man named Max Roman-Betancourt, residing in Sunland, has been identified.
- Esteban Armas, a 36-year-old resident of Panorama City,
- A man named Sarkis Kyurkchian, aged 40, also known as “Z” or “Sam,” residing in North Hollywood,
- Oscar Alejandro Melendez, aged 50, also known as “Ozzy” or “Oz,” hails from Van Nuys.
- Robert Carlton Lavilette, aged 68, hailing from Ventura
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According to court documents, Buraye, Melendez, and Meraz Jr. were allegedly at the forefront of a trafficking operation, acquiring fentanyl pills, methamphetamine, and cocaine.
A group of individuals, including Kyurkchian, allegedly collaborated to distribute drugs to Lavilette and Bentancourt, who would subsequently sell them in the streets. According to officials, Buraye and Melendez were involved in the sale of drugs to customers, while Armas was responsible for storing the narcotics.
After his alleged accomplices were apprehended, Kyurkchian remained at large. However, authorities managed to locate and apprehend him on Thursday night. Several individuals have been charged with conspiracy to distribute and possess controlled substances with the intent to distribute, according to authorities.
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