Federal agents seized more than 110 pounds of drugs, guns and a baby alligator during a recent raid at a luxury downtown Los Angeles apartment, authorities said.
Marvin Angelito, 27, and Susan Gonzalez, 26, were arrested during the operation at the alleged "stash house," which took place Thursday, Sept. 10, according to the U.S. Department of Justice. Both made their initial court appearances Monday, Sept. 14, in federal court in Los Angeles.
The defendants are each charged with possession of fentanyl with intent to distribute, prosecutors said. They have yet to enter pleas.
The luxury apartment where the suspects were living was described by the DOJ as a "known drug trafficking location."
The investigation ultimately led agents to arrive at the
home with a search warrant.
"The search resulted in the seizure of approximately 42.6 kilograms (93.9 pounds) of fentanyl pills and powder, approximately one kilogram (2.2 pounds) of heroin, 7.2 kilograms (15.9 pounds) of cocaine, laboratory equipment such as beakers, mixers, stirrers, and torches, and a hydraulic press," according to a DOJ statement.
Agents also seized an AR-15-style rifle, a gold-plated Desert Eagle .50-caliber pistol, ammunition, a police radio, "and a small alligator, which U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service agents seized," the statement said.
Images from the scene showed the reptile housed in an aquarium.
If convicted as charged, Angelito and Gonzalez each face a potential maximum sentence of life in prison.
During Monday's court appearance, a magistrate ordered Angelito detained pending further legal proceedings, while Gonzalez was released on a $15,000 bond.
Both were scheduled to appear at arraignment hearings in October.
The FBI and the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration investigated the case.
This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: 110 pounds of drugs, alligator seized from luxury Los Angeles apartment
