This undated photo shows a sample of weapons Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) undercover agents purchased during Operation Woodchuck, an undercover operation that targeted firearm traffickers in the San Fernando Valley. The ATF announced today, Wednesday, June 29, 2011, the arrest of seven defendants for selling illegal firearms and narcotics in the San Fernando Valley. (Photo courtesy of Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF))
LOS ANGELES - Nine people were arrested today as a result of a yearlong investigation into illegal firearms trafficking in the San Fernando Valley, authorities said
The investigation, dubbed "Operation Woodchuck," was conducted by personnel from the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation and the Los Angeles Police Department, ATF spokesman Chris Hoffman said.
The eight suspects arrested are: Arthur Chorny, 41, of Studio City; David Abbott, 52, of Los Angeles; Anthony Campos, 37, of Canoga Park; Guillermo Navarrete, 35, of Northridge; Manuel Santo, 41, of Canoga Park; Guy Smith, 49, of Los Angeles; Drew D. Darchuck, 42, of Northridge; and Mehran Zamany, 46, of Woodland Hills.
The men were expected to be arraigned today in United States District Court in Los Angeles. If convicted of the charges in the indictment, they face prison sentences ranging from five years to life.
Three other men wanted on the federal indictments remain at large: Elijah Brown, 38, of Los Angeles; Mitchell D. Knox, 22, of Studio City, and Hector Valles, 46, of Northridge. A 12th defendant named in connected with the case -- Claire Haviland, 49, of Chatsworth -- was also arrested today, and she has been charged in Los Angeles County on state firearm and narcotic violations, Hoffman said.
During the undercover investigation, an ATF agent infiltrated a group selling illegal firearms and drugs in the San Fernando
Valley, and agents bought stolen firearms, machine guns and silencers, Hoffman said.Chorny, in 2005, was one of three men charged in connection with the discovery of 60-70 sticks of dynamite in a Van Nuys warehouse, but he allegedly fled while free on bail, and a bench warrant was issued for his arrest, according to District Attorney records.
Warrants were served overnight at locations that included Woodland Hills and Marina del Rey. A hazardous-material team was sent to one location -- the 6900 block of Lubao Avenue in Woodland Hills -- but crews found only household chemicals at the site and determined there was no hazard, Hoffman said.
Other locations connected to the operation included the 4000 block of West 28th Street; the 1300 block of West Washington Boulevard; and the location where some boats were berthed in G Basin along Mindanao Way in Marina del Rey. The sheriff's department assisted in securing one vessel, which was seized by the ATF on allegations that it was used to transport illegal weapons.
Source: http://www.dailynews.com/news/ci_18376756?source=rss
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