Hundreds of Agents Sweep MacArthur Park in Major Drug Bust, Arresting Nearly 20

Hundreds of local and federal agents flooded MacArthur Park in Los Angeles on Wednesday, making nearly 20 arrests in the final phase of a coordinated operation called "Free MacArthur Park." The raid was led by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Los Angeles Police Department, targeting dealers investigators say are at the heart of ongoing cartel activity in the area.

Agents intercepted nine kilos of fentanyl worth at least eight million dollars, along with other drugs and evidence recovered from six businesses directly across from the park. One couple, accused of being the ringleaders of fentanyl and meth sales in the park, were arrested at a home in South Los Angeles, allegedly after trying to flush drugs down the toilet. Officers also evacuated a mother and her son caught up in the chaos as agents forced their way into the targeted businesses.

One individual taken into federal custody is considered the area's top drug trafficker and could face life in prison.

Acting U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli called the long-running drug activity a disservice to the surrounding community, saying, "It is hard enough to do business in the state of California. It's even harder when you have open-air drug use right in front of your business."

Norm Langer, who owns the nearby Langer's Diner and once threatened to close after years of rampant crime in the area, welcomed the news. His restaurant marks 79 years in the neighborhood next month. "What our government, both local and national, has done today is fantastic," Langer said. "I think it's the beginning of taking back MacArthur Park for the families."