6 Arrested In Latest MacArthur Park Drug Sweep: Police

LOS ANGELES, CA — At least six people were arrested Wednesday night when local and federal law enforcement agencies launched another large-scale drug enforcement operation in MacArthur Park, authorities said.

The operation began around 9 p.m. as Los Angeles Police Department officers joined Drug Enforcement Administration agents in a coordinated sweep targeting drug-related criminal activity in and around the park, according to the Los Angeles Police Department.

More than 100 law enforcement personnel participated in the effort, including roughly 60 DEA agents and 55 LAPD officers. Access to portions of the park was restricted as officers and tactical vehicles moved into the area, KTLA reported.

Authorities said six people were taken into custody on felony drug charges. Additional details about the arrests were not immediately released.

The enforcement action is part of the second phase of "Operation Free MacArthur Park," a three-phase initiative launched in May to combat what federal officials have described as a persistent open-air drug market involving narcotics including fentanyl and methamphetamine.

"This operation is focused solely on drug-related criminal activity," the LAPD said in a statement. "There is no connection to immigration enforcement."

First Assistant U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli, who was present during Wednesday night's operation, said authorities intentionally conducted the sweep after dark.

"They need to know that we can come at any time, any day," Essayli told NBC Los Angeles. "It could be 2 o'clock in the morning, we will come, and we will be here, and we're going to enforce the law. So don't use drugs at the park."

DEA officials said the nighttime operation was prompted in part by complaints from nearby business owners who reported that much of the visible drug activity occurs after sunset.

"We've been hearing that a lot of stuff has been moving to later in the day, so that's why we're coming out later in full force to show them that this is not a joke," DEA spokesperson Anthony Chrysanthis told KTLA.

Authorities said Wednesday's operation follows earlier enforcement actions conducted under the "Free MacArthur Park" initiative. During a June 4 operation, officials arrested 13 people and served multiple arrest and search warrants in the area surrounding the park, according to KTLA.

Officials said the final phase of the initiative will focus on treatment and services aimed at reducing drug use and connecting people with resources.

The LAPD and DEA said residents should expect additional enforcement operations in the future as authorities continue efforts to address narcotics activity in the area.

City News Service contributed to this report.