Federal law enforcement agencies are expanding large-scale crackdowns across Southern California, including in Los Angeles, targeting drug trafficking and child sexual exploitation material crimes.
The recent operations, carried out with local law enforcement partners, signal a broader strengthening of multi-agency investigations across the region.
On May 6, the Drug Enforcement Administration led a major drug enforcement operation around MacArthur Park near Koreatown. Days later, suspects in child sexual exploitation material cases were arrested in Los Angeles and Riverside County.
In North Hollywood, a multi-agency task force involving the Los Angeles Police Department and federal law enforcement agencies arrested two people on May 12 on suspicion of possessing child sexual exploitation material.
According to FOX 11, investigators executed a search warrant related to child exploitation at a residence near Collins and Willowcrest avenues. Authorities seized electronic devices, including cellphones and laptops, and arrested two suspects at the scene. Officials have not disclosed whether the case is connected to a larger investigation. However, further arrests and additional investigative steps could follow depending on the forensic analysis of the seized devices.
A separate large-scale child exploitation investigation was also announced in Riverside County.
The Riverside County District Attorney’s Office said on May 11 that 42 suspects were arrested as a result of a yearlong operation known as “Operation Volcano.” The investigation ran from March 2025 to March 2026 and focused on suspected distributors of child sexual abuse material.
The operation was led by the Riverside County Child Exploitation Team, with assistance from agencies including the California Highway Patrol and Homeland Security Investigations. Authorities said more than 500 suspected offenders were identified during the investigation.
Those arrested are accused of distributing child sexual abuse material. The list of suspects included a 51-year-old Korean man, Jason Lee. Officials said the suspects also included an 81-year-old man, a corporate executive, a high-ranking local government official and a federal employee, according to local reports.
Drug enforcement has also intensified.
On May 6, more than 200 DEA personnel and local law enforcement officers carried out a major operation targeting drug trafficking around MacArthur Park. Federal authorities said 18 defendants were arrested and 25 were charged with federal drug trafficking offenses.
Authorities seized approximately 40 pounds of fentanyl from one home alone, and more than $10 million worth of fentanyl was taken off the streets, according to law enforcement. The operation also included multiple search warrants across Southern California.
