Investigation Leads to 6 Arrests, $3 Million in Cocaine

Six people were arrested and an estimated $3 million worth of cocaine was seized after FBI agents and Los Angeles County sheriff’s deputies observed a drug transaction in a Reseda alley, authorities said Wednesday.

The arrests were made Tuesday after a four-month investigation of an alleged drug ring that operated in the San Fernando Valley, Deputy Roger Hom said. About 25 pounds of cocaine, 2 1/2 pounds of marijuana, $16,340 in cash and two weapons were seized, he said.

Hom said the deputies and agents arrested Dwight Wagle, 38, of Agoura and Carlos Ramos, 38, of Glendale after watching them engage in a drug transaction in an alley near Saticoy Street and Shirley Avenue about 4 p.m., Hom said. The two men were arrested on suspicion of transportation and sale of cocaine, Hom said.

Authorities seized about 24 pounds of cocaine from the two men and search warrants were then obtained for houses believed to be used by the drug ring, Hom said.

A small amount of cocaine was confiscated at Wagle’s home in the 28900 block of Wagon Road in Agoura, and Wagle’s wife, Marquetta Wagle, 36, was arrested on suspicion of possessing cocaine, Hom said.

At a house in the 6800 block of White Oak Avenue in Reseda, investigators found two pounds of marijuana and one pound of cocaine, Hom said. Laura Shipley, 30, was arrested on suspicion of possessing marijuana for sale and possessing cocaine.

A half-pound of marijuana, the cash and the two weapons were seized at a home in the 7300 block of Maynard Avenue in Canoga Park, Hom said. Greg Brossard, 32, and Martin Miller, 37, were arrested on suspicion of possessing marijuana, he said.

Dwight Wagle and Ramos were each being held in lieu of $500,000 bail at the Malibu sheriff’s station jail. Marquetta Wagle, Brossard and Miller were each being held in lieu of $2,500 bail and Shipley in lieu of $10,000 bail at the same location.

Investigators would not disclose what prompted the investigation of the group.