A brazen open-air crack market allegedly run by the West Coast Crips simply 1.5 miles from San Diego’s Petco Park has been shut down after federal prosecutors charged 30 suspected gang members and associates in a sweeping drug crackdown.
The indictment, unsealed Wednesday, accuses the gang of turning the nook of 2900 Imperial Ave. right into a bustling daytime drug bazaar, the place clients allegedly lined up with money to purchase crack cocaine whereas wholesale suppliers saved avenue sellers stocked.
Prosecutors say the operation funneled cocaine base throughout East Village, downtown, Logan Heights, Sherman Heights and different San Diego neighborhoods.
Authorities estimate the operation pumped out roughly 20 kilos of cocaine each week in 2025, price at the very least $550,000 on the road, with 1000’s of shoppers repeatedly buying crack cocaine from alleged gang members working the nook.
Greater than 350 federal, state and native regulation enforcement officers fanned out throughout San Diego early Wednesday in an enormous gang sweep, executing 21 search warrants in a coordinated takedown concentrating on the alleged West Coast Crips drug operation.
By Wednesday afternoon, authorities had arrested 28 of the 30 defendants named within the case, whereas two remained on the run.
The investigation started in 2024 after authorities targeted on alleged West Coast Crips members suspected of operating the gang-controlled drug market whereas committing acts of violence within the surrounding neighborhood.
In accordance with courtroom paperwork, the operation functioned as each a street-level retail market and a wholesale provide level, with crack cocaine bought there later resold throughout San Diego, together with neighborhoods surrounding Petco Park.
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Wiretapped conversations cited by prosecutors allegedly captured conspirators scrambling to replenish their drug provide after repeatedly promoting out.
Investigators additionally saved the nook underneath surveillance for a lot of the probe, documenting what courtroom data describe as every day crack cocaine gross sales.
The year-long investigation resulted within the seizure of greater than 11 kilos of cocaine, over $14,000 in money, two handguns, and a money-counting machine.
Prosecutors additionally say the infamous drug nook grew to become a gathering place for gang exercise and violence.
Courtroom paperwork state West Coast Crips members have a good time an annual “set day” on or round March 30 to mark the gang’s declare over the thirtieth Avenue hall.
Through the March 30, 2025 gathering, members and associates allegedly packed the intersection, shut down site visitors and ignored orders from San Diego cops to disperse.
The market additionally grew to become the backdrop for gun violence.
On Jan. 9, courtroom paperwork allege a car pulled up outdoors the market earlier than an occupant stepped out and fired 4 or 5 photographs right into a crowd gathered close to the nook, hanging at the very least two folks earlier than rushing away.
“With these 30 indictments, the message is straightforward: San Diego is a paradise, however it’s not a gangster’s paradise,” stated US Legal professional Adam Gordon.
Prosecutors say the alleged conspiracy was populated by repeat offenders.
At the least 22 defendants have prior felony convictions, most involving drug gross sales, whereas 5 have been already underneath some type of post-conviction supervision when the alleged conspiracy was uncovered.
Amongst these charged is alleged conspiracy chief Rynell Baker, who was convicted of first-degree homicide in 1994, paroled in 2021 and discharged from parole in 2022.
4 defendants, Elton Wilson, Roshawn Partitions, Shawn King and Alejandro McFadden, have earlier federal convictions that qualify as critical drug felonies.
Three others, Darnell Butler, Jerry Davis and Kendall Evans, even have prior federal convictions. Butler and Davis have been beforehand convicted in a RICO conspiracy, whereas Evans was convicted of being a felon in possession of ammunition.
All 30 defendants are charged with conspiracy to distribute cocaine and cocaine base. If convicted, they face a compulsory minimal sentence of 10 years in federal jail, a most penalty of life behind bars, and fines of as much as $10 million.
