Glendale Police Bust Drug Operation in Norwalk and Pico Rivera

Glendale Police helped dismantle a large scale drug distribution in the Los Angeles area, according to a news release from the department. 

The DEA, the LAIMPACT Taskforce and Glendale Police arrested seven suspects in alleged connection with the seizure of one pound of methamphetamine and more than 3,500 pounds of marijuana from the residences 12716 and 12716 ½ Kalnor, Norwalk, and a storage facility at 9441 Slauson, Pico Rivera, police said.  

"The seven arrests and significant seizures of methamphetamine and marijuana culminated a several month investigation into a large scale multi-drug trafficking organization in the Los Angeles Area," according to the news release.

Although the bust was miles from Glendale, officials explained why they helped make the arrests.

"Drugs have no geographical boundaries. To go to the source and eliminate the scourge on our community, we often find ourselves going all over Southern California," Glendale Police Sgt. Tom Lorenz told Patch via email.

"If you research the history of Glendale Narcotics going back to the 80’s, we are a leader in this area and known for our sophistication and have been recognized for it on levels," Lorenz said. 

Authorities said the methamphetamine and marijuana seizure has a street value of more than $4.5 million. 

Those arrested include: Oscar Sanchez, 37, and Guillermo Perez Sanchez, 52--both of Norwalk--Javier Francisco Avila, 29, of Ontario; Luis Alberto Valdivia, 32, of San Luis Obispo; Jetsey Wlises Gaytan, 28, of Perris; Benito Vasquez Lopez, 39, of Anaheim; Jorge Luis Campos, 38, of Altadena. 

Bail was held at $100,000 each and the suspects are expected in court on August 29.  

The case will be presented to the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office for criminal filing consideration, officials said. 

This isn't the first time Glendale Police has left its jurisdiction in Glendale to bust a drug operation in the Los Angeles-area. 

, at a former furniture warehouse in the 3400 Block of San Fernando Road, near Tyburn Street.

About 1,000 pot plants were collected, worth about $1.5 million, officials said. 

According to a Glendale Police dispatcher who was on duty on the morning the June 7 bust occurred, the raid was a “group effort” involving “lots of intelligence tips” collected over months.

And the story doesn’t end with the warehouse on the 3400 block of San Fernando Road and Tyburn Street—with its reportedly air-conditioned interiors that still had enough moisture to dampen parchment paper covering windows.

"There are multiple locations—in L.A. maybe—different collectives and storefronts," Cox said.

“It’s possible the LAPD got the info and gave it to us,” said the dispatcher, Jason Cox. “If they don’t have the resources and manpower, we’ll take it on—that happens quite a lot.”

Glendale narcotics investigators also in May.