Federal Agents Storm Skid Row in MASSIVE Drug Trafficking Bust

OPERATION SAVE SKID ROW ARRESTS: This morning we executed 28 arrest warrants and 44 search warrants for federal drug trafficking offenses involving fentanyl, PCP, and other narcotics in and around Skid Row.

Drug dealers prey on the homeless, keeping them addicted to horrific… https://t.co/DSCfa1zCsD

— F.A. United States Attorney Bill Essayli (@USAttyEssayli) October 8, 2026

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OPERATION SAVE SKID ROW ARRESTS: This morning we executed 28 arrest warrants and 44 search warrants for federal drug trafficking offenses involving fentanyl, PCP, and other narcotics in and around Skid Row.

Drug dealers prey on the homeless, keeping them addicted to horrific drugs and collecting their government assistance money in exchange. It’s all about making money. That ends today.

This was a massive joint operation between the @HSTaskForce
and LAPD. Over 300 law enforcement officers participated. More details at our 1 p.m. PSD press conference.

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The Los Angeles Police Department said the Operation Skid Row focused on drug-related criminal activity, “dismantling high-level criminal enterprises.” LA County District Attorney Nathan Hochman said a series of well-established gangs are involved.

“That is why this is such a historic operation. It is the largest operation targeting Skid Row and these drug dealers in Los Angeles history,” Hochman said in a Thursday news conference.

LAPD Chief Jim McDonnell said Thursday’s enforcement was the culmination of more than six months of joint investigative work among the LAPD, the FBI, the Drug Enforcement Administration, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

He said as of Thursday morning, 21 out of 28 federally indicted suspects are in custody. Seizures included guns, cash, vehicles, along with methamphetamine and fentanyl. “We’ve also seen a resurgence of crack cocaine, PCP, and certainly heroin being used in the Skid Row area,” McDonnell said.

When compared to Operation Free MacArthur Park’s summer raids, Hochman said Skid Row covers a 50-city-block area, making the park’s enforcement almost like a test run for Thursday’s massive operation.

“We are taking away generational players in Skid Row,” by getting rid of drug suppliers, Hochman said. He emphasized it was not an immigration enforcement operation.

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#Developing #SkidRow drug enforcement operation. DEA executing ‘Operation Save Skid Row.’ David Olesky, Special Agent in Charge of the DEA L.A. Division to join federal and local parters at the podium for a 1:00 pmpress conference announced by @usao_cdca. Details of operation to… pic.twitter.com/hGrTUnlN5r

— DEALosAngeles (@DEALOSANGELES) October 8, 2026

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NEW: Federal agents and LAPD are carrying out a major drug enforcement operation on Skid Row in downtown LA.

Authorities report 44 search warrants executed and 28 people facing charges in a crackdown targeting alleged fentanyl and PCP dealers. pic.twitter.com/rj4CekOx1x

— Matthew Seedorff (@MattSeedorff) October 8, 2026

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BREAKING: Hundreds of federal agents & LAPD officers conducting a county-wide drug bust in LA right now. Fentanyl, meth, PCP, coke. This focuses on Skid Row. Targeting 28 alleged drug dealers. The Feds say some 'drive their luxury cars to Skid Row' to sell narcotics to violent… pic.twitter.com/OTEFxKtzgr

— Matt Finn (@MattFinnFNC) October 8, 2026

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Not only are we arresting the Skid Row drug dealers, but we are also taking their cars. Anything purchased with drug money is subject to forfeiture. https://t.co/7QMLxPexm1 pic.twitter.com/TNvdBPp6ex

— F.A. United States Attorney Bill Essayli (@USAttyEssayli) October 8, 2026

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One of those targeted for arrest was Manuel Courtney Vaughns, a suspected Pasadena drug dealer with history of possession convictions and illegal firearms possession charges, according to law enforcement sources not authorized to speak publicly about the active investigation. Vaughns’ territory on Summit Avenue has long been associated with a Pasadena gang, the law enforcement sources said.

An armed federal SWAT team targeted one Pasadena home on Summit Avenue where Vaughns was thought to reside. Vaughns was detained and is expected to appear in court later Thursday.

On Skid Row, Jesse Allred, 73, a resident of Weingart Towers, stood at a nearby corner of 6th and Crocker streets, where police tape blocked off Crocker. He held an Arizona iced tea in one hand and his Rottweiler mix Lady in the other.

“We seen the FBI wearing their FBI uniforms and flak jackets,” he said. “Something crazy is going on.”

He said he parked nearby and saw “cops were just going everywhere.”

Allred said he’s lived in the drug-plagued area for 15 months since getting out of jail.

“I get out and people are smoking dope on the corner,” he said. “They’re shooting dope all over the place. The police are driving all over the place not even caring.”

Federal authorities had placed yellow crime scene tape and notices on several makeshift dwellings on Crocker Street declaring “this tent is subject to seizure and forfeiture for violations of the Federal Controlled Substances Act.” The notices ordered the owner’s property to be removed on or before Oct. 15, adding “remaining items are subject to abandonment, seizure and forfeiture.”

Victoriah Parker, with Los Angeles-based nonprofit Starts With One Today, said that Crocker Street was a known hotbed of illegal drug activity.

“There’s not a single tent on here that’s not a drug dealer,” she said. “Every single block is run by gangs and they’re taking advantage of individuals.

Parker said she arrived in the area at around 9:15 am on Thursday as police were blocking off the street.

“Everyone knows this is the main area for drug dealing,” she said, adding that dogs are also being sold and illegally bred.

“This is very dangerous, very very dangerous,” she said. “I hope that they keep it up, I hope that they come back and they don’t stop.”

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BREAKING: Hundreds of federal agents — FBI, DEA, ATF, U.S. Attorney's Office, and LAPD — are SWARMING Skid Row right now in a massive drug bust

28 arrests expected. 44 search warrants. Large wads of cash, firearms, and fentanyI being seized on scene.

Drug dealers are also… pic.twitter.com/W8Z3vPz1WA

— Nick Sortor (@nicksortor) October 8, 2026

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BREAKING: Hundreds of federal agents — FBI, DEA, ATF, U.S. Attorney’s Office, and LAPD — are SWARMING Skid Row right now in a massive drug bust

28 arrests expected. 44 search warrants. Large wads of cash, firearms, and fentanyI being seized on scene.

Drug dealers are also being accused of specifically targeting people on the days their government checks arrive (of course)

LONG overdue! Skid Row has been like a third world country for YEARS.

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