FBI Busts Harbor Area Gang, Associates Targeted in Federal Raid

Law enforcement seized approximately 23 firearms, 26.2 kilograms of methamphetamine, approximately 23,000 fentanyl pills, 2.4 kilograms of powdered fentanyl, and one kilogram of cocaine  

In the early morning hours of May 17, neighbors on the 900 block of West 14th Street in San Pedro were awakened by the sounds of banging tools, then yelling, “FBI. Stop!” This apartment is in the same neighborhood as Dana Middle School and San Pedro High School.

A neighbor who saw the raid and asked not to be identified for safety reasons said he looked outside and saw men in tactical gear with rifles. They pulled out everyone in his neighbor’s apartment. This raid was executed by a joint operation team of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, FBI and special officers of the Los Angeles Police Department, who are cross sworn for federal investigations. 

LAPD Harbor Division had no knowledge of the warrants until shortly after they were served.

The raid was precipitated by a general unease with the perceived rise in crime. According to LAPD Harbor Division’s Compstat, a compilation of crime statistics for the Los Angeles Harbor Area, there’s been a decrease in property and violent crime over the past two years. Yet, there has been an increase in the illegal drug trade nationally by Mexican cartels running fentanyl across the southern border. 

But for this neighbor, who learned he was in close proximity to a gun dealer, he said that put him on edge. 

The alleged gun dealer arrested in San Pedro turned out to be Jesus Chuy Delgado, a 46-year-old who was named in an affidavit authorizing his arrest. The affidavit further alleges that the San Pedro resident is a high-ranking Westside Wilmas member, engaged in a series of methamphetamine and firearms sales, including several in January and February 2023 that allegedly occurred across the street from San Pedro High School and Dana Middle School. Delgado allegedly sold firearms — including semi-automatic weapons lacking a serial number — and 883.9 grams (1.95 pounds) of methamphetamine while on parole.

Three were arrested among 10 members and associates of street gangs who are named across three criminal complaints filed in federal court. One defendant is in state custody, and law enforcement continues to search for two defendants. Authorities arrested an additional four defendants on state charges.

In relation to the charges unsealed on May 17, law enforcement seized approximately 23 firearms, 26.2 kilograms of methamphetamine, approximately 23,000 fentanyl pills, 2.4 kilograms of powdered fentanyl and one kilogram of cocaine.          

The arrests are the latest development in a violence reduction initiative started in late 2020 by a joint FBI and Los Angeles Police Department task force that targeted gang activity in the Harbor Area. Prior to the current arrests, 11 Harbor Area gang members and associates were charged with federal drug, firearms and Hobbs Act robbery crimes. [The Hobbs Act prohibits actual or attempted robbery or extortion affecting interstate or foreign commerce.] Three of those defendants already have been convicted and sentenced, receiving prison sentences of between 10 and 20 years.

The seven federal defendants arrested were charged in complaints filed on May 10 with various federal crimes, including the distribution of controlled substances, possession with intent to distribute controlled substances, and being a felon in possession of a firearm.

According to an affidavit filed with one of the complaints, the task force has investigated influential members and associates of the Eastside Wilmas, Westside Wilmas, and other Harbor Area gangs who were suspected of being involved in a host of illegal activities. Both Eastside and Westside Wilmas are based in Wilmington.

Harbor Area gangs, including the Wilmas, commit their crimes under the direction and authority of the Mexican Mafia, a California prison gang that controls many of the Latino street gangs in Southern California. Mexican Mafia leaders and associates direct the activities of the Wilmas gangs from within the California state prison system. Leaders have access to illicit cellular telephones and other digital devices to communicate with gang members in the community.

Law enforcement believes the Wilmas gangs are controlled by separate Mexican Mafia members who are each serving life sentences in a California state prison after being convicted of murder. One Mexican Mafia associate directs firearm and drug sales from prison despite being sentenced to death for murder.

The complaint affidavit alleges from October 2022 to February 2023, reputed Wilmas and Mexican Mafia associate Patricia Amelia Limon, 53, of Lomita, fulfilled seven drug and firearm deals under the direction of the Mexican Mafia associate on death row. Allegedly, Limon personally, and at least once through an intermediary, supplied methamphetamine, fentanyl, firearms and ammunition to a buyer and collected money on behalf of the Mexican Mafia member.

In one deal on Nov. 2, 2022, Limon allegedly supplied 5,000 rainbow-colored fentanyl pills to a buyer for $5,300. Fifteen days later, Limon allegedly supplied 1.71 kilograms (3.8 pounds) of methamphetamine and 2,000 fentanyl pills to a buyer for $5,000. The affidavit further alleges Limon engaged in other illicit sales of fentanyl and firearms.

Chris Villanueva contributed to this story.