13 accused Armenian syndicate associates, accused of stealing $83 million-plus, arrested in greater LA, Florida
13 accused Armenian syndicate associates, accused of stealing $83 million-plus, arrested in greater LA, Florida
In a series of coordinated raids in greater Los Angeles and Florida, 13 purported members and associates of Armenian crime syndicates were arrested on Tuesday, May 20, on federal charges including murder and kidnapping in connection with efforts to expand their criminal enterprises in the San Fernando Valley.
The defendants were charged in five federal criminal complaints, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office. One defendant remained at large. Prosecutors said the raids also led to the seizure of about $100,000, three armored vehicles, and 14 firearms.
“This transnational criminal organization operated with the structure and brutality of an international cartel, inflicting significant harm on public safety and causing substantial damage to legitimate commerce and supply chains,” Dwayne Angebrandt, an acting deputy special agent in charge for Homeland Security Investigations, said in a statement.
Among the defendants charged were a 41-year-old Porter Ranch resident, who was charged with attempted murder in aid of racketeering, and a 46-year-old from Hollywood, who was charged with kidnapping, according ot the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
According to prosecutors, the operations targeted Armenian Organized Crime, a Russian mafia-affiliated criminal organization that uses the Los Angeles area as its base of U.S. operations. Two local leaders have been engaged in a violent power struggle for territorial control, leading to multiple attempted murders and a kidnapping, officials said.
Collectively, they are accused of crimes including bank fraud, wire fraud, cargo theft, and targeting online retailers such as Amazon — with, officials said, associates becoming shipping contractors for the company and stealing shipments totaling more than $83 million.
Prosecutors said if convicted as charged the defendants face prison sentences from 10 years to life.
With Beyoncé's Grammy Wins, Black Women in Country Are Finally Getting Their Due
February 17, 2025
Bad Bunny's "Debí Tirar Más Fotos" Tells Puerto Rico's History
February 17, 2025
Comments 0