NewsMyNewsLAOctober 27, 2026Los Angeles County
Law enforcement arrests 24 people and seizes eight trailer loads of illicit vapes and counterfeit goods in downtown Los Angeles
Photo: MyNewsLA
Law enforcement agencies arrested 24 people and seized eight tractor-trailer loads of illicit vapes, flavored tobacco, and counterfeit merchandise during coordinated raids on 12 downtown Los Angeles businesses on Monday. The operation targeted unlicensed sales, untaxed tobacco, and counterfeit trademarks, with cases referred to city and county prosecutors for filing consideration.
Read the full story at MyNewsLAWhy It Matters
Twelve downtown storefronts faced coordinated police raids resulting in the removal of massive quantities of commercial goods and the arrest of 24 individuals for suspected licensing and intellectual property violations.
Key Facts
- Twenty-four individuals were taken into custody during a multi-agency law enforcement operation in downtown Los Angeles.
- Investigators served search warrants at 12 businesses located between Third Street, Winston Street, Crocker, and Los Angeles streets.
- Authorities seized eight tractor-trailer loads of illicit products during the searches.
- Targeted items included illicit flavored vaping products, flavored tobacco products, and counterfeit merchandise.
- Specific violations included prohibited sales of flavored tobacco, selling or gifting tobacco products without a valid license, and manufacturing or selling counterfeit trademarks.
- Collaborating agencies included the LAPD, California Department of Justice, California Department of Tax and Fee Administration, California Department of Public Health Food and Drug Branch, and U.S. Customs and Border Protection.
- Arrest information will be presented to the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office and Los Angeles City Attorney’s Office for filing consideration.
- The public can report information on illicit products to the Sheriff’s Community Partnerships Bureau at 323-981-5300.
Who's Mentioned
OrganizationLos Angeles Police Department“collaborated in the joint investigation”OrganizationLos Angeles City Attorney’s Office“will review information for filing consideration”locationThird Street“geographic boundary of the operation”OrganizationU.S. Patent and Trademark Office“federal registry for counterfeit trademarks”OrganizationSheriff’s Community Partnerships Bureau“contact point for public tips”OrganizationLos Angeles County District Attorney’s Office“will review information for filing consideration”OrganizationLos Angeles County Sheriff’s Department“announced the joint enforcement operation”locationCrocker“street boundary defining the raid zone”OrganizationCalifornia Department of Tax and Fee Administration“collaborated in the joint investigation”OrganizationCalifornia Department of Justice“collaborated in the joint investigation”OrganizationU.S. Customs and Border Protection“collaborated in the joint investigation”locationWinston Street“geographic boundary of the operation”OrganizationCalifornia Department of Public Health Food and Drug Branch“collaborated in the joint investigation”locationLos Angeles“downtown location of the enforcement operation”OrganizationCalifornia Secretary of State“registry for counterfeit trademarks”