LA Councilmember Clashes With Federal Prosecutor Over Skid Row Drug Bust
A sweeping federal drug operation on Skid Row left 28 people charged and sparked a public dispute between a City Council member and LA's top federal prosecutor.
Skid Row Drug Sweep Triggers Clash Between City Council and Federal Prosecutor
A large-scale drug operation in Los Angeles' Skid Row has ignited a public dispute between Councilmember Ysabel Jurado and US Attorney Bill Essayli, NY Post Metro reports.
Dozens of FBI agents and law enforcement officers descended on the 50-block neighborhood Thursday as part of "Operation Free Skid Row," targeting the sale of fentanyl, methamphetamine, cocaine and PCP. Authorities charged 28 alleged dealers with federal drug offenses and served more than 40 search warrants. Agents seized drugs, firearms, cash and luxury vehicles, with investigators documenting tactics dealers allegedly used to conceal their trade — including disguises, storefronts and sidewalk tents.
Jurado, whose District 14 encompasses Skid Row, condemned the operation on social media shortly after it concluded.
"Law enforcement has described the operation in Skid Row as targeting drug trafficking. But that doesn't remove the responsibility to protect residents' rights and well-being," the councilmember wrote.
Jurado said homeless residents reported being prevented from returning to their tents to retrieve belongings, medication and other necessities. She noted that Skid Row is home to one of the city's largest concentrations of seniors, people with disabilities and Black residents, and argued its approximately 6,000 homeless inhabitants deserved the same standard of treatment afforded to residents of any other Los Angeles neighborhood.
"Living in a neighborhood that society wrote off does not make you a criminal," Jurado wrote. "It does not make you unworthy of city services, mental health, and representation from your government."
The councilmember also called for homeless residents to receive "protection from exploitation and violence" and "dignity and accountability from the institutions responsible for their safety."
Essayli responded sharply the following day, directing criticism at both Jurado and the nonprofit Los Angeles Community Action Network, known as LACAN, accusing them of obstructing law enforcement efforts in the area.
"They are fiercely anti-law enforcement and focus their efforts on protecting criminals who exploit the homeless," Essayli wrote. "Under their watch, gangs and thugs run Skid Row, supplying the worst drugs imaginable, stealing money, and raping or killing anyone in their way."
Essayli also accused LACAN of distributing needles and crack pipes while harassing officers, rather than cooperating with the Los Angeles Police Department to remove drug dealers from the area.
The US attorney defended the operation as lawful and professionally conducted, noting that investigators had obtained judicial authorization for all searches.
"We are proud of yesterday's operation that charged 28 people with federal drug dealing and served more than 40 search warrants," Essayli wrote, adding a pointed warning: "If the councilwoman disliked yesterday's actions, she will be very displeased in the months ahead."
The operation involved multiple agencies, including the FBI, the Drug Enforcement Administration and the LAPD. Skid Row has long been characterized by open-air drug dealing and violence, and has drawn sustained attention from both city and federal authorities.
Source: NY Post Metro