Community Corner
North County Undercover Operation Nets Stolen Cars, Guns, Military Equipment
The "indictments mean dozens of car thieves who were also trafficking guns and drugs in the North County have been shut down," she District Attorney Bonnie Dumanis said.
An eight-month undercover operation in North County netted 92 stolen vehicles worth nearly $700,000, as well as guns, drugs and stolen military equipment such as gas masks and bullet-proof vests, authorities said Thursday.
Sixty-four defendants – including two active duty military personnel and six ex-military employees – were indicted as a result of "Operation Perfect Storm," District Attorney Bonnie Dumanis said.
The "indictments mean dozens of car thieves who were also trafficking guns and drugs in the North County have been shut down," she said.
The suspects were invited to a undisclosed North County storefront to sale their wares and were recorded on video while selling undercover detectives stolen cars, firearms and ammunition.
The defendants, arrested Tuesday, face charges including insurance fraud, vehicle theft, drug sales and possession of military stolen property. The operation is done by the Regional Auto Theft Task Force in cooperation with Immigration and Customs Enforcement and the Naval Criminal Investigative Service.
–City News Service
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