Local News in Brief : 4 Arrested in Huge Cocaine Seizure
Torrance police and U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration agents raided a home in Orange, seized 812 pounds of cocaine and charged four Colombian nationals with drug trafficking.
The raid followed a 14-month investigation by police and federal agents that began in December, 1987, with the arrest of another Colombian in Torrance on cocaine-trafficking charges, Torrance Police Lt. David Marsden said.
Charged Friday with conspiracy to distribute and possession with attempt to distribute cocaine were Fernando Andrade, 37; his brother, Gabriel Andrade, 41; William Arias, 33, and Erwin J. Gonzalez, 35. They pleaded not guilty at their arraignment in Los Angeles Municipal Court.
Marsden described Fernando Andrade as a “mid-level manager” for the Medellin cartel, one of the world’s biggest cocaine organizations.
Bail for Gabriel Andrade was set at $100,000, but no bail was set for the other defendants. They are being held at the Metropolitan Detention Center.
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