14 Foreign Nationals Arrested in Drug Raids

Fourteen people, all foreign nationals from Colombia and Mexico who are suspected of operating an extensive cocaine ring in Southern California, have been arrested by Los Angeles narcotics officers, police announced Thursday.

In a series of raids Wednesday at homes in Los Angeles, Chino Hills, Canoga Park, Hacienda Heights and Corona, police said they seized about 60 pounds of cocaine worth an estimated $10 million on the street, five vehicles and $800,000 in cash. The suspects, 12 men and two women, were being held on $5 million bail each.

At a Parker Center news conference, Police Chief Daryl F. Gates displayed the confiscated drugs and cash bundles, much of it in $100 denominations, and said that the large amount of drugs and money shows there continues to be a strong demand for illegal drugs.

“There are a lot of people out there using dope,” he said. “And they’re paying a high price for this trafficking.”