13 Arrested in LAPD and DEA Crackdown at MacArthur Park

Law enforcement officers arrested more than a dozen people at MacArthur Park in Los Angeles on Thursday, June 5, 2026, in the latest phase of a sustained crackdown on drug trafficking and public drug use in the area. The operation involved personnel from the Los Angeles Police Department and the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration.

Authorities said 13 individuals were taken into custody, with arrests made for offenses including public drinking, being under the influence of narcotics, and possessing bulky items in the park. An additional six people received citations for violations such as smoking in public. Officials explicitly stated the operation was not connected to immigration enforcement.

First Assistant U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli described the action as the third phase of "Operation Free MacArthur Park," a coordinated initiative that began in early May. The first phase targeted the leadership of the 18th Street gang, while the second was a major raid in May that resulted in 18 arrests and the seizure of significant quantities of drugs. Essayli said Thursday's effort focuses on maintaining a consistent law enforcement presence to enforce state laws against public drug use...