Federal and Local Authorities Launch Sustained Crackdown on MacArthur Park Drug Activity

LOS ANGELES, California — Federal and local law enforcement officials announced Thursday a continued joint operation targeting narcotics activity at MacArthur Park, emphasizing that the effort represents a long-term commitment rather than a single enforcement action.

The operation, dubbed “Operation Free MacArthur Park,” is a task force between the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Los Angeles Police Department. Officials described it as the third phase of a broader strategy to restore safety to the iconic park.

“This is our third phase of this operation,” said a DEA representative at the press conference. “Phase one was we dismantled the leadership of the 18th Street gang. Phase two was to go after the drug dealers and suppliers at MacArthur Park. We did that last month. And now we’re on phase three.”

The current phase focuses on maintaining a consistent law enforcement presence to enforce state laws prohibiting public drug use and possession with intent to use. Officials stressed that addressing demand is critical to lasting change.

Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman framed the effort as essential to reclaiming a public space that has been plagued by criminal activity for decades.

“MacArthur Park is essentially our Central Park,” Hochman said. “We have to free it. For way too long, for almost decades, MacArthur Park has been under the control of gangs. It has been a refuge for individuals to engage in drug use and drug sale.”

Hochman pledged that the park would be safe enough for families to enjoy by Labor Day 2026, inviting fellow officials and the public to join him for a picnic on that date as a benchmark of progress.

“We refuse to allow MacArthur Park to be a cemetery,” Hochman added, noting that emergency responders in the area frequently administer naloxone for overdoses rather than responding to fires.

DEA Special Agent in Charge Tony emphasized that the operation is not a short-term visibility effort. “This is not a photo op promising an overnight change,” he said. “We know it’s going to take a long time contingent on significant manpower to make noticeable and enduring changes.”

Since May 6, when the joint operation began, authorities report seizing close to 20 kilograms of fentanyl—enough lethal doses, officials said, to kill the population of Los Angeles County twice over. The primary drugs encountered in the park are fentanyl and methamphetamine.

During Thursday’s enforcement action, LAPD Rampart Division Captain Ben Fernand reported 13 arrests and six citations. Offenses included public intoxication, being under the influence of narcotics, outstanding misdemeanor warrants, and possessing bulky items associated with encampments.

Fernand clarified that today’s operation focused on quality-of-life violations rather than large-scale drug seizures. “Today was more the quality of life issues, going after the users and going after the bad behavior in the park,” he said.

LAPD Assistant Chief Amada Tingerites highlighted the department’s ongoing commitment, noting that a supervisor and 10 officers are already assigned to foot beats and perimeter patrols around MacArthur Park. She emphasized that federal partnership supplements these local resources.

“The group that stands before you here today represents our coordinated and persistent effort to dismantle the criminal networks that prey upon our community members, exploit their addictions, and endanger young people,” Tingerites said.

Officials also announced that Los Angeles is eligible to apply for federal funding under the newly announced Model Cities Initiative, which could provide up to $300 million to support local law enforcement efforts.

Beyond enforcement, spokespersons emphasized a dual approach that includes connecting individuals with compassionate services. Hochman stated that community organizations and nonprofits would be engaged to provide housing, drug treatment, and mental health support to those in need.

Parks and Recreation teams have been notified to conduct cleanups of hazardous materials, including needles and drug paraphernalia, following enforcement sweeps.

When asked about the sustainability of the effort, officials confirmed that unannounced patrols by DEA and LAPD teams would continue regularly—potentially multiple times per week—without advance notice.

“This will be a model for how we work together on future operations,” a DEA representative said, noting that while MacArthur Park was prioritized due to its status as an open-air drug market, the partnership would extend beyond the park’s boundaries.

Hochman acknowledged that the challenges at MacArthur Park have persisted for years but framed the current coordination as a turning point. “Leadership matters,” he said. “We’re doing it now. That’s my answer.”

Authorities concluded the briefing by reaffirming their commitment to restoring MacArthur Park as a safe, accessible public space for residents, families, and visitors.