What:
LAPD and DEA will make public, the results of Mobile Enforcement Team (MET) joint operations.

When:
Tuesday, July 17, 2001, at 1:00 P.M.

Where:
Rampart Community Police Station
2710 W. Temple Street
Los Angeles.

Los Angeles: The Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) will hold a press conference to announce the result of a joint anti-drug operation.

The four month-long operation focused its efforts in parts of Rampart Area where gang and drug-related violence is known to exist. Twelve DEA agents, in conjunction with Rampart Area's Narcotics Detectives and uniformed officers, diligently targeted street level narcotic dealers and their customers.

During the four-month deployment, the joint task force arrested 297 suspects for various narcotic related offenses. Of those arrested, 39 were identified as gang members, 25 were on parole, and 43 were on probation. The operation concluded with the service of two search warrants. As a result, a substantial amount of cocaine, tar heroin, methamphetamine, and marijuana was seized, with an estimated combined street value of over 1.8 million dollars. In addition, agents and officers seized nine guns and over $60,000.00 in cash.

Present at the press conference will be Los Angeles Police Department Chief of Police Bernard C. Parks, DEA Special Agent In-Charge Michelle Leonhard, and other DEA and LAPD officials.

Photographs of the seized narcotics and the weapons seized in the task force will be displayed at the press conference.

This press release was prepared by Police Information Officer Eduardo Funes, Media Relations Section, 213-485 3586.