FBI Busts 18th Street Gang in East LA Raid

Massive takedown targets leadership of notorious drug-trafficking gang

Published on Mar. 5, 2026

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Federal agents have launched a massive takedown of the notorious 18th Street Gang, a major player in the drugs epidemic in Los Angeles. The FBI spearheaded a raid on an apartment block in east Los Angeles early Thursday after a years-long investigation into the 'supergang', which is a top trafficker of methamphetamine and fentanyl, with a special focus of their operations in MacArthur Park and Skid Row.

Why it matters

The 18th Street Gang has been a longstanding criminal organization that has plagued the city of Los Angeles for years, engaging in a range of illegal activities including drug trafficking, extortion, murder, and racketeering. This coordinated federal law enforcement action aims to disrupt the gang's leadership and operations in order to reduce the violence and drug trade that the group has fueled in the city.

The details

From Tuesday through Thursday, agents and police arrested more than 11 people and conducted more than ten searches and raids of properties and vehicles associated with the 18th Street Gang. Charges brought against members include murder, drug dealing, illegal gambling, racketeering, and extortion. The goal of the operation is to 'stop the violence and also stop the trafficking of dangerous drugs like fentanyl', according to Assistant U.S. Attorney Jena McCabe.

  • The FBI spearheaded the raid on an apartment block in east Los Angeles early Thursday morning.
  • From Tuesday through Thursday, agents and police arrested more than 11 people and conducted more than ten searches and raids.

The players

18th Street Gang

A notorious criminal street gang that has been a major player in the drugs epidemic in Los Angeles, trafficking methamphetamine and fentanyl, with a focus of operations in MacArthur Park and Skid Row.

Jena McCabe

An Assistant U.S. Attorney who stated that the goal of the operation is to 'stop the violence and also stop the trafficking of dangerous drugs like fentanyl'.

Eric Turner

An FBI field agent who declined to provide details on the specific raid, only stating that it targeted an associate of the 18th Street Gang.

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What they’re saying

“The goal is to stop the violence and also stop the trafficking of dangerous drugs like fentanyl.”

— Jena McCabe, Assistant U.S. Attorney (nypost.com)

What’s next

More details on the arrests and charges are expected to be provided at a press conference later on Thursday.

The takeaway

This coordinated federal law enforcement action represents a significant effort to disrupt the leadership and operations of the notorious 18th Street Gang, which has been a major contributor to the drugs epidemic and violence plaguing the city of Los Angeles for years. By targeting the gang's leadership, authorities hope to make a substantial impact in reducing the group's criminal activities and the associated harm to the community.