FBI agents seize $800,000 in cash, arsenal of weapons from Santa Monica apartment

FBI agents combing through the Santa Monica apartment of notorious Boston mobster James “Whitey” Bulger seized about $800,000 in cash and “a fairly big arsenal” of weapons, federal law enforcement officials said.

Several sources familiar with the investigation said about 30 weapons were found inside Bulger’s third-story, rent-controlled apartment, where his property manager said he had been living for almost 15 years.

Photos: The hunt for James “Whitey” Bulger

The sources said that some of the weapons were tucked in hiding places around the 800-square foot residence, but declined to provide further details.

On Thursday morning, a team of FBI agents and crime scene analysts searched Unit 303. They were seen carting off dozens of boxes and bags of evidence.

Bulger, was one of the FBI’s Ten Most Wanted fugitives, wanted in connection with at least 19 killings, racketeering and other crimes that spanned more than a decade. Bulger fled Boston in late 1994 as federal agents were about to arrest him.

Bulger had lived in the Santa Monica apartment for at least 14 years and paid rent of a little more than $1,100 a month in cash, which was not that unusual, the property manager said.

Neighbors said the couple did little that would be considered out of the ordinary and blended into the Santa Monica neighborhood, taking walks on the Third Street Promenade and visiting the 99 Cent Store on Wednesdays for weekly sales on organic produce.

Although some neighbors said they had seen the couple walking a dog, the property manager said they did not have one. The building has a no-pet policy.

Federal law enforcement officials in Washington and Boston said they received a good tip on Greig’s whereabouts Tuesday night after airing public service announcements in 14 cities across the country.

They began watching the Santa Monica residence Wednesday afternoon for several hours, then used a ruse to lure Bulger out. They arrested the couple without incident.

Video: Mobster was target of new FBI campaign

One official said that when taken in, Bulger looked “a lot older” and not quite aware of what was happening.

“He was just a very quiet guy,” said one FBI official. “He was a very unassuming individual, and I don’t know anyone who knew where he was. He was not the kind to draw attention to himself, and that’s how he escaped detection and capture all these years.”