LYNWOOD : 6 Arrested, Motel Seized in Joint Drug Operation

Authorities have seized a motel believed to have been the site of alleged illegal activities, and arrested the two owners and four others on drug-related charges.

FBI agents, deputy U.S. marshals, sheriff’s deputies and district attorney’s officials took part this week in the seizure of the American Motor Inn, at 10831 Long Beach Blvd., said sheriff’s department spokesman Mark Bailey. Officials began investigating activity at the 110-room motel three months ago, Bailey said.

Investigators said that in the past two years, 200 arrests had been made at the motel for drug possession and sales, prostitution, weapons violations and other crimes. Owners Rayman Patel, 57, and Sumitra Patel, 56, were “frequently mentioned in the reports as being present during the illegal activity,” Bailey said.

The owners were arrested Monday, along with two motel managers and two tenants, on suspicion of possessing cocaine with intent to sell, Bailey said.

Rayman Patel denied the charges. “We are not involved in any illegal activities,” he said, adding that “we tried our best to control” drug trade in the motel.

The motel was seized under federal asset forfeiture laws, which allow authorities to take control of property suspected of being used in connection with drug trade.

The U.S. Marshal’s office has appointed a management team to oversee operations at the motel until the case goes to trial, officials said.