Seven alleged members of a San Fernando Valley drug trafficking ring were arrested and indicted in a major bust, authorities announced Wednesday.
The arrests were the result of a three-year investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Drug Enforcement Administration, and the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD).
Over $1 million worth of narcotics, more than 16 firearms and $300,000 in cash were seized across five locations in the San Fernando Valley. The seized narcotics included 44 pounds of methamphetamine, 128 pounds of cocaine and 6.6 pounds of fentanyl powder, according to the ATF.
The suspects were identified as:
- Giselle Buraye, 23, aka “Giselle Haidy Dykhouse,” aka “Bandida,” aka “bandida.loka,” of Van Nuys
- Efren Meraz Jr., 35, aka “Jr.,” aka “Junior,” of Sylmar
- Max Roman-Betancourt, 41, of Sunland
- Esteban Armas, 36, of Panorama City
- Sarkis Kyurkchian, 40, aka “Z,” aka “Sam,” of North Hollywood
- Oscar Alejandro Melendez, 50, aka “Ozzy,” aka “Oz,” of Van Nuys
- Robert Carlton Lavilette, 68, of Ventura
Court documents said Buraye, Melendez and Meraz Jr. spearheaded the trafficking operation by obtaining the fentanyl pills, methamphetamine and cocaine.
The trio, along with Kyurkchian, would provide the drugs to Lavilette and Bentancourt, who would then sell the drugs in the streets. Buraye and Melendez would also sell drugs to customers, officials said, and Armas would store the narcotics.
Kyurkchian was still on the run when his alleged accomplices were arrested, but he was later found and taken into custody on Thursday night.
All suspects were charged with conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute controlled substances.
“Powerfully addictive drugs like fentanyl and methamphetamine devastate families and communities,” said U.S. Attorney Martin Estrada. “With these charges, we have dismantled a drug trafficking organization that put profits over people’s lives. We will continue to do everything in our power to make sure every resident has an opportunity to live in safety.”
“Members of this criminal organization were involved in the distribution of fentanyl and other dangerous drugs that are poisoning our communities,” said Ryan Olson of the DEA Ventura Resident Office. “DEA is committed to making our communities safer by removing violent offenders and dangerous drugs from the streets.”