Burbank man arrested in drug bust

A Burbank resident was among more than two dozen people arrested by

the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Glendale Police

Department, which seized more than $1 million worth of raw opium in

an alleged international drug production and smuggling ring.

Shahin Khodagalian of Burbank was among 14 people indicted

Thursday on felony charges of conspiracy and money laundering who

were being held in federal custody.

The ring operated for several years out of a Pacoima car wash,

according to a DEA official. About 88 pounds of raw opium with a

street value of $10 million, $16,000 in cash and several handguns

were seized in the raid, officials said.

The bust was a joint effort by the police department, the DEA, the

FBI and the Bureau of Immigration and Customs Enforcement, officials

said.

Jackson Bell