Over 50 Gang Member Arrests and $1.6 Million in Drugs Seized in Corona Bust

CORONA – Over 50 people with alleged ties to two well-known Riverside County street gangs were arrested as a result of a several-month-long investigation. The investigations targeted Corona Varrio Locos and Mexican Mafia (La Eme).

The investigation was headed by more than 300 law enforcement officers from the Corona Police Department, the Riverside County Sheriff’s Gang Task Force, and the California Department of Justice’s Bureau of Investigation Special Operations Unit (SOU) Southern California team.

Arrests of 32 people were made on Thursday and a prior 20 arrests were made throughout the investigation. During the arrests 67 firearms, including assault rifles and semi-automatic weapons were seized. Also located was $95,000 in currency and illicit drugs with a $1.6 million street value Attorney General officials said.

“Criminal gangs brazenly trafficking guns and drugs on our streets jeopardize public safety and will not be tolerated,” said Attorney General Harris. “I thank our California Department of Justice Special Agents, as well as the Corona Police Department, the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department, and the California Highway Patrol for their brave efforts to dismantle criminal enterprises in our Inland Empire communities.”

Also assisting in the investigations was the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) who conducted cell searches within the California state prisons in coordination with the operation.

“Special Agents from the Special Services Unit of CDCR’s Office of Correctional Safety spent months tracking intelligence on the suspects.  As a result of our agents’ work, and of the team effort of our law enforcement partners, a strong blow has been dealt with the Mexican Mafia that’s constantly working to extend their criminal enterprise in this region,” said Derrick Marion, Chief of the CDCR Office of Correctional Safety.  “I commend our agents, who worked anonymously, and all our partners for their dedication, bravery, and hard work.”

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