9 Arrested, 88 Pounds of Cocaine Seized in Raids
A team of 50 officers from two South Bay police departments concluded a one-year narcotics investigation Tuesday morning with the arrest of nine people and the seizure of 88 pounds of cocaine and more than $100,000 cash. Torrance Police Lt. Dave Marsden described the suspects as members of a major cocaine cartel based in Cali, Colombia. He said officers from the Torrance and Redondo Beach police departments served search warrants in Baldwin Park, Harbor City, San Pedro, Wilmington and Upland.
The cocaine, estimated to have a $4-million street value, was discovered in a hidden compartment of a car during the Baldwin Park search, he said. About $70,000 was found in one of three San Pedro locations searched.
All nine of the suspects are natives of Colombia residing in Los Angeles, New York and Philadelphia.
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