The United States Attorney’s Office (California Central District) reports that law enforcement officials in California and Florida arrested thirteen alleged members and associates of Armenian organized crime syndicates on May 20 who are charged in five federal complaints with a series of crimes – including attempted murder, kidnapping, tens of millions of dollars’ worth of thefts of online retailer shipments, and illegal firearm possession – to expand and maintain their control in the San Fernando Valley.

According to affidavits filed with the criminal complaints, Armenian Organized Crime, a Russian mafia-affiliated transnational criminal organization, has made Los Angeles County a center of U.S. operations.

Since 2022, two local leaders within the organization, also known as avtoritet, which in Russian means “authority,” allegedly have engaged in a power struggle for control in their territory, resulting in multiple murder attempts and a kidnapping.

Local police and investigators with the Department of Homeland Security raided a home in Sun Valley (Los Angeles) and seized approximately $100,000 in cash, three armored vehicles, and 14 firearms during Tuesday's operation.