$8 MILLION IN ECSTASY SEIZED IN DRUG RAIDS AUTHORITIES ARREST 15 SUSPECTS.Byline: Susan Abram Staff Writer GLENDALE - Investigating what they believe to be a drug ring run by Israeli nationals, authorities said Monday that they have arrested 15 people and seized more than $8 million worth of Ecstasy in a series of raids. The months-long investigation, conducted jointly by Glendale and Torrance narcotics narcotics n. 1) techinically, drugs which dull the senses. 2) a popular generic term for drugs which cannot be legally possessed, sold, or transported except for medicinal uses for which a physician or dentist's prescription is required. officers, netted 17 pounds of marijuana and $44,000 in cash in addition to the Ecstasy, a stimulant stimulant, any substance that causes an increase in activity in various parts of the nervous system or directly increases muscle activity. Cerebral, or psychic, stimulants act on the central nervous system and provide a temporary sense of alertness and well-being as popular within the rave party culture. ``This organization is responsible for 90 percent of Ecstasy coming into the city of Torrance and other local cities,'' said Torrance police spokesman Dave Crespin. ``This is considered a monumental seizure.'' Both police departments had been investigating Ecstasy distribution cases in their areas, and Glendale police Sgt. Tom Lorenz said it eventually became clear they were dealing with the same drug trafficking ring. ``We crossed paths, and at that point it made sense to work together,'' he said. Also working with the U.S. Customs Service, investigators from Torrance and Glendale monitored the movements of several suspects, including 34-year-old Rafi Shotland of Sherman Oaks. Crespin said investigators followed Shotland on July 3, saw him take part in a drug deal involving four other suspects, got a search warrant for his home in the 14900 block of Clark Street in Sherman Oaks and seized 24,000 tablets of Ecstasy, weighing some 12 pounds. He said investigators also seized 2,000 tablets from two of the other suspects. On July 14, investigators followed two suspects to a home in the 4900 block of Van Nuys Boulevard and witnessed a drug transaction that turned into an armed robbery and a carjacking The criminal taking of a motor vehicle from its driver by force, violence, or intimidation. The u.s. justice department categorizes the crime of carjacking as a "completed or attempted Robbery of a motor vehicle by a stranger , Crespin said. Eight suspects were arrested without incident, and about 200 pounds of Ecstasy was seized. Search warrants served at three more homes in Van Nuys and Reseda turned up two suitcases with 200 pounds of Ecstasy and two handguns used in the carjacking and robbery, Crespin said. In addition to Shotland, the suspects include John Melkoun, 30, and Sami Atias, 24, both of Sherman Oaks; Maxim Gorin, 25, and Louis Amorim, 28, of Encino; Darren Wayne Lebrecht, 31, of Studio City; Jessica Alison Altman, 20, of Calabasas; Tal Brisman, 27, of Tarzana; Nery Atias, 28, of Van Nuys; and Kobi Amasum, 31, and Moshe Matsri, 35, of Reseda. Also arrested were John Folinsky, 29, and David Kaylan, 32, both of Los Angeles Los Angeles (lôs ăn`jələs, lŏs, ăn`jəlēz'), city (1990 pop. 3,485,398), seat of Los Angeles co., S Calif.; inc. 1850. ; Robert Ananian, 34, of Montebello; and Roston Aliktsann, 39, of Hollywood. The suspects were arrested on suspicion of armed robbery, carjacking, assault with a deadly weapon Assault with a Deadly Weapon is the term used to describe the act of threatening to harm one or more people by using a weapon (usually a firearm). Here, assault must be differentiated from battery as they are often confused. Assault is threatening to use force. , possession and transportation of a controlled substance controlled substance n. a drug which has been declared by federal or state law to be illegal for sale or use, but may be dispensed under a physician's prescription. for sale, drug trafficking 1,000 feet from school grounds and other charges. Those detained de·tain tr.v. de·tained, de·tain·ing, de·tains 1. To keep from proceeding; delay or retard. 2. To keep in custody or temporary confinement: are being held without bail or on bail ranging to $1 million. Known for its use in the rave culture, Ecstasy can cause confusion, depression, sleep problems, anxiety and paranoia for weeks after being taken. Users can suffer dehydration, hyperthermia hyperthermia /hy·per·ther·mia/ (-ther´me-ah) hyperpyrexia; greatly increased body temperature.hyperther´malhyperther´mic malignant hyperthermia and heart or kidney failure kidney failure or renal failure Partial or complete loss of kidney function. Acute failure causes reduced urine output and blood chemical imbalance, including uremia. Most patients recover within six weeks. , health officials have said. |
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