A brother-sister duo and a third suspect accused of being major fentanyl traffickers have been arrested in a significant Los Angeles-area drug bust that seized nearly $55 million worth of fentanyl, officials said Tuesday, March 11.
The arrests and drug seizures were a result of a long-term joint investigation led by the Downey Police Department and California Department of Justice that recovered over 50 pounds of fentanyl, surpassing the total amount seized at the U.S.-Canadian border in 2024. Authorities also found two firearm suppressors, narcotics packaging, 20 kilograms of powder fentanyl, 5 kilograms of heroin, 10 pounds of methamphetamine and one kilogram of cocaine.
“Fentanyl remains the leading cause of death in accidental drug overdose cases in Los Angeles County,” District Attorney Nathan Hochman said in a statement. “Just 1 kilo of fentanyl has the potential to kill 500,000 people.”
Priscilla Gomez, 43, from Torrance, and her 47-year-old brother, Gustavo Omar Gomez from Huntington Park, face at least two counts each of possession for sale of a controlled substance. The pair could serve around 24 to 28 years for their charges if convicted.
Their 38-year-old suspected co-conspirator, Carlos Manuel Mariscal, Huntington Park, also faces two counts of possession for sale of a controlled substance, with two additional counts for possession of a silencer and unlawful possession of ammunition prohibited by a prior conviction. Mariscal could face a little over 31 years if convicted, officials said.