California Attorney General Rob Bonta announced the arrest of three suspected fentanyl traffickers in Los Angeles and the seizure of $55 million worth of fentanyl and other narcotics. The operation, conducted by the California Department of Justice with assistance from the Downey Police Department, underscores the growing fentanyl crisis plaguing the state.
Authorities confiscated 20 kilograms of powder fentanyl, 5 kilograms of heroin, 10 pounds of methamphetamine, 1 kilogram of cocaine, two firearm suppressors, and narcotics packaging from the suspected criminals.
A significant portion of these drugs—over 50 pounds of fentanyl and nearly 12 pounds of opium—was discovered in a car and a Downey apartment. Experts estimate that the fentanyl alone had a street value of up to $1.3 million and contained enough lethal doses to kill every resident in Los Angeles County.
Investigators also found clear indications of a Mexican cartel connection in the operation. The three arrested suspects—Carlos Manuel Mariscal, Priscilla Gomez, and Gustavo Omar Gomez—now face serious charges.
Priscilla Gomez, who was arrested during a traffic stop after admitting possession of drugs, faces three counts of possession for sale of a controlled substance and one count of sale or transportation of a controlled substance.
Her brother, Gustavo Gomez, faces two counts of possession for sale of a controlled substance. Mariscal, a prior offender, faces additional charges, including possession of a silencer and unlawful possession of ammunition.
Fentanyl remains the leading cause of accidental drug overdose deaths in Los Angeles County, and authorities are intensifying efforts to crack down on its distribution. District Attorney Nathan Hochman emphasized the severity of the crisis, stating that this single seizure exceeded the total fentanyl seized at the U.S.-Canada border in an entire year.
The case is being prosecuted by the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office. A preliminary hearing for Mariscal and Gustavo Gomez is set for March 20, while Priscilla Gomez remains in federal custody. If convicted, the suspects face decades in prison. Authorities remain committed to dismantling fentanyl trafficking networks, as this deadly drug continues to devastate communities across the nation.
