The ATF and LAPD have arrested four suspects, including a reputed hitman for La Familia, on drug and weapons charges according to a report by Associated Press:
Edgardo Prado Casteneda, Vicente Garcia, Scott Blanks and Victor Velasquez were arrested by federal authorities. Casteneda and Velasquez face drug and weapons-related charges, while Garcia and Blanks were charged only with weapons violations. Court documents show that a paid informant infiltrated the ring and managed to buy assault rifles, pistols and a shotgun known as a "Streetsweeper." Casteneda, who ran a landscaping business, told the informant that he was responsible for methamphetamine sales in parts of the San Gabriel Valley and had "committed several murders" for the La Familia cartel while in Mexico, according to an affidavit. He also said he wanted to hire hitmen for the cartel to kill people who live in Southern California, court documents show. Casteneda said the going rate was $5,000 for each slaying, authorities said.
In searches of the men's homes the police recovered "documents listing the names of customers, as well as distribution locations."
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