Skip to Content
News

Headlines: Investigation Into Wilmington’s Westside Wilmas Gang and the Mexican Mafia Lead to Multiple Arrests

In addition to the arrests, authorities allegedly seized 23 firearms, 57.7 pounds of methamphetamine, about 23,000 fentanyl pills, 5.2 pounds of powdered fentanyl and 2.2 pounds of cocaine.

photo: Hoodlumxsociety/Instagram

Welcome to L.A. TACO’s daily news briefs, where we bring our loyal members, readers, and supporters the latest headlines about Los Angeles politics and culture. Stay informed and look closely.

—Free rides on L.A. metro buses, trains, and bikes today, all day! Metrolink is free to cyclists all week. [Metro Los Angeles]

Central-Alameda: LAPD released a bizarre video showing celebrities like Pete Davidson, Michael Pena, Jon Bernthal, Shia LaBeouf and Benicio Del Toro praising the LAPD's Newton Division following a screening of End of Watch. [LAPD Newton]

Elysian Park: The Los Angeles chapter of the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence, a self-described group of "leading-edge Order of queer and trans nuns,” who were going to be honored with the Dodgers' Community Hero Award, have been removed from the lineup of this year's Los Angles Dodgers’ 10th annual LGBTQ+ Pride Night in June, due to complaints from Catholics over the imagery they use, including Senator Marco Rubio. [KTLA]

Wilmington: The FBI and LAPD announced multiple arrests Wednesday stemming from a joint investigation that targeted the Westside Wilmas gang, and eventually expanded into the Mexican Mafia, which they believe was involved in the sale of illegal firearms and narcotics throughout the Harbor area. In addition to the arrests, authorities allegedly seized 23 firearms, 57.7 pounds of methamphetamine, about 23,000 fentanyl pills, 5.2 pounds of powdered fentanyl and 2.2 pounds of cocaine. [NBC]

—A person opened fire on LAPD police officers Wednesday afternoon on the 110 Freeway in South Los Angeles, according to authorities. No injuries were reported in the incident, which occurred shortly after noon on the southbound side of the freeway. The officers did not return fire, a spokesperson said. [ABC]

Venice: Citing issues with employee safety, scheduling changes, pay, and access to affordable benefits, approximately 30 cannabis delivery drivers at the Stachs-Eaze Lincoln cannabis delivery depot in Venice voted to unionize this week, making it the second Los Angeles Stachs-Eaze depot to unionize since March, according to the United Food and Commercial Workers Local 770. About 80 workers at the San Jose depot also voted to unionize. [Patch]

Stay in touch

Sign up for our free newsletter

More from L.A. TACO

What To Eat In L.A. This Weekend: Parisian Hot Dogs, Steak-Stuffed Eggrolls, and a New Nicaraguan Fritanga

Plus a beautiful shawarma sandwich in Sherman Oaks and a weekend-long celebration of a Chicano brewery in La Puente.

July 26, 2024

Street Vendors Successfully Sue City to Remove Illegal ‘No Vending’ Signs And Won

L.A. will also have to reimburse the street vendors for their past fines relating to this controversial sign. However, this does not include any other fines related to equipment restrictions or lack of permits. This also means that while a vendor can’t be cited for vending in areas like the Hollywood Walk of Fame anymore, they can still get cited for other city regulations. 

July 25, 2024

Empathy Through Tacos: Meet the Skid Row Taqueros Giving Away Free Food Every Friday to Downtown’s Homeless Community 

One of the taqueros who organizes the weekly pop-ups used to be homeless himself and broke out of poverty by selling breakfast burritos in front of a courthouse in Van Nuys. Now, he is sober and pays it forward every week. The group uses TikTok to raise funds and donate up to 1,500 tacos and more a week.

July 24, 2024

Open Thread: What’s The Best Live Show You’ve Ever Seen In L.A.?

Was your life changed by a Circle Jerks show at Blackie's? Chaka Khan dropping in on Snoop and Too Short at the Palladium? Dudamel with a special guest at Disney Hall? Chime in!

See all posts