Agents Seize Drugs, Cash in L.A. Raids
State agents confiscated approximately $152,000 worth of methamphetamine and an estimated $500,000 in U.S. currency from two Los Angeles homes Thursday morning.
The raids occurred after agents seized 47 kilos of cocaine and an estimated $500,000 from a Canadian man seen visiting both homes, said Shirley Lessiak, a special agent with the Department of Justice.
The cocaine has a potential street value of $4.7 million, she said.
Darrle Sedore, 26, of Vancouver was seen engaging in suspicious activity at a Marmion Way address, where agents had set up surveillance Wednesday afternoon, she said.
Los Angeles police helped track Sedore, who led officers on a 15-minute car pursuit and a brief foot chase, said an LAPD spokesman.
He was stopped on Vermont Avenue near the Santa Monica Freeway. He was carrying the cocaine and cash in his truck, authorities said.
Agents arrested Pastor Leyva, 63, Marcial Villalba, 42, and Jorge Reyes, 56, all from Los Angeles, at the Marmion Way address, Lessiak said. Valente Villa, 38, of Los Angeles was arrested at a Pasadena Avenue home, she said.
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