Mexican Mafia, LA Gang Raids Lead To Trove Of Guns And Drugs

LOS ANGELES, CA — A series of raids reaching into the upper echelons of the Mexican Mafia Wednesday yielded a stockpile of drugs and guns and led to the arrests of seven suspected South Bay gang members, according to the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

The investigation specifically targeted members of the Westside Wilmas, a gang located in LA's Harbor region, according to the FBI and the Los Angeles Police Department. Authorities seized 23 firearms, 26.2 pounds of methamphetamine, approximately 23,000 fentanyl pills, 2.4 kilograms of powdered fentanyl and one kilogram of cocaine, authorities said.

"This morning’s arrests are the latest development in a violence reduction initiative started in late 2020 by a joint FBI and Los Angeles Police Department task force that targeted gang activity in the Harbor area," the US Department of Justice said in a statement.

Those arrested face federal charges including distribution of controlled substances, possession with intent to distribute controlled substances and being a felon in possession of a firearm.

According to the DOJ, both the Westside and Eastside Wilmas commit crimes under the direction of the Mexican Mafia, a California prison gang that controls Latino street gangs in Southern California. Authorities said Mexican Mafia leaders direct the activities of the Wilmas gangs, which are based in Wilmington, from within the state prison system through illicit phones and other digital devices.

"Law enforcement believes the Wilmas gangs are controlled by separate Mexican Mafia members who are each serving a life sentence in a California state prison after being convicted of murder. One Mexican Mafia associate directs firearm and drug sales from prison despite being sentenced to death for murder," the DOJ said.

The complaint affidavit specifically named Patricia Amelia Limon of Lomita, a reputed associate of the Wilmas and Mexican Mafia. According to the affidavit, she engaged in seven drug and firearm deals and collected money on behalf of the Mexican Mafia member on death row from October 2022 to February 2023.

In one deal on Nov. 2, Limon supplied 5,000 rainbow-colored fentanyl pills to a buyer for $5,300, prosecutors allege in the affidavit. Fifteen days later, Limon supplied 3.8 pounds of methamphetamine and 2,000 fentanyl pills to a buyer for $5,000, according to prosecutors. The affidavit further alleges that Limon engaged in other illicit sales of fentanyl and firearms.

Jesus Chuy Delgado of San Pedro, another high-ranking Westside Wilmas member, was accused of selling methamphetamine and firearms multiple times across the street from a high school and middle school in San Pedro, the affidavit alleges. Authorities said Delgado conducted these sales while on parole.

Delgado allegedly sold firearms — including semi-automatic weapons lacking a serial number, commonly known as ghost guns — and 1.95 pounds of methamphetamine while on parole, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office.

If convicted, both Limon and Delgado will face a maximum sentence of life in federal prison, according to the DOJ.

The full list of federal defendants includes:

• Patricia Amelia Limon, 53, of Lomita
• Jesus Chuy Delgado, 46, of San Pedro
• Jose Francisco Martinez Hernandez, 31, of Paramount
• Lake Davis Pasley, 27, of Lomita
• Osvaldo Nicolini, 45, of Lomita
• Cristobal Aguilar, 29, of the Pico-Union neighborhood of Los Angeles, who was already in state custody
• Guillermo Guerrero, 33, of South Los Angeles
• Bud John Phineas, aka “Ghost,” 42, of Lakewood

Officials are currently searching for three additional suspects who remain outstanding and are considered fugitives. The suspects are Ramon Gonzalez Jr., Fernando Fabio Nava and Iliana Zepeda.

Any tips should be directed to the local field office, the FBI said.

City News Service contributed to this report.