Federal Agents Discover Drugs, Weapons, and an Alligator in LA Raid
Earlier this month, federal agents conducted a raid on an upscale apartment in downtown Los Angeles, uncovering over 100 pounds of illegal drugs, various firearms, and unexpectedly, a baby alligator.
On September 10, agents executed a search warrant at what the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) referred to as a “stash house.” During the operation, officials discovered 93.9 pounds of fentanyl in both pill and powder forms, 2.2 pounds of heroin, and 15.9 pounds of cocaine, along with lab equipment. Additionally, they found an AR-15 rifle and ammunition in a hallway closet, a gold-plated Desert Eagle .50-caliber pistol on the kitchen counter, and a police radio, according to a report from the DEA.
The alligator, which was being kept illegally, was taken by agents from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. An affidavit related to the complaint described the apartment as a “known drug trafficking location,” the agency noted.
Marvin Angelito, 27, and Susan Gonzalez, 26, who lived in the apartment, were arrested during the raid and are now facing charges for possession with intent to distribute fentanyl.
According to the agency, Angelito was held after his first court appearance, while Gonzalez was released after posting a $15,000 bond. Their arraignments are set for October 2 for Angelito and October 9 for Gonzalez.
If found guilty, they could face a maximum sentence of life in federal prison.
The investigation is being handled by the FBI New Haven Homeland Security Task Force, the FBI Los Angeles Regional Narcotics Suppression Program, and the DEA’s Los Angeles Field Division.
This operation is part of the broader efforts of the Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF), created under an executive order by President Donald Trump aimed at combating various forms of organized crime and violence both domestically and internationally.
The DEA characterized the HSTF as an all-encompassing governmental initiative aimed at dismantling criminal cartels, foreign gangs, and human smuggling operations that threaten stability within the United States.
