LA’s 50 pound fentanyl bust is said to have had the cartel “signs”

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The state and local governments announced felony charges Tuesday against three Mexican drug cartel affiliates accused of planning to sell £50 of fentanyl in Los Angeles.

LA County Dist. Atty. Nathan Hochman promoted the bust alongside Atty of the state. General Rob Bonta estimates that during a press conference with Downtown Attorney General he seized the street value of the drug for $55 million.

“This is our biggest bust,” Bonta said.

Bonta said the operation began in January when investigators received “reliable information.” She was arrested after the search discovered fentanyl in her car during a traffic stop by Downey police, officials said. Another cache of drugs was found in Downey’s apartment, which is said to contain “signs of a Mexican cartel.”

In addition to 50 pounds of fentanyl, authorities have found almost 12 pounds of opium.

“If these drugs were distributed, we don’t know how many lives would be tragically shorter and how many communities would have been devastated,” Bonta said. “Thankfully, you don’t need to know this time.”

Gomez has federal custody who faces possession of a three count for the sale of a controlled substance and is faced with one sale, transport or offer to sell a controlled substance.

Her brother, Gustavo Omar Gomez, 47, preliminary hearing and another suspect in human trafficking, Carlos Manuel Mariscal, 35, is scheduled for March 20th at the Clara Shortridge Foltz Criminal Justice Center. Both men are charged with two possession charges for the sale of a controlled substance, while Mariscal is charged with illegal possession of ammunition.

If convicted, Mariscal will face 31 years in prison, while Priscilla and Gustavo’s Omar Gomez will face 28 and 24 years, respectively.

Hochmann said the charges served as a harsh warning to fentanyl traffickers.

For the record:

9:05pm On March 11, 2025, a pre-version of this article misrepresented Atty’s statement. Dist from General Rob Bonta. Atty. Nathan Hochman.

“Our collective message is clear,” Bonta said. “It’s consistent with those who distribute illegal fentanyl throughout our community and in the process bring about pain, suffering and death to Californians. We will prosecute you with the best possible law.”
In 2023, drug deaths pioneered L.A. County for the first time in 10 years, but overdose continues to be the leading cause of death among Americans aged 18 to 44.