Key Takeaways
- 📌 Federal and LAPD officers arrested nine people in a major sex trafficking crackdown along LA's Figueroa Corridor, known as "The Blade."
- 📌 The Hoover gang allegedly controlled sex trafficking and prostitution along a 3.5-mile stretch, victimizing girls as young as 14.
- 📌 A motel manager, Mukeshkumar Rambhai Ahir, was arrested for allegedly renting rooms for prostitution and pocketing half the proceeds.
- 📌 The 65-count indictment names 51 victims and includes charges of sex trafficking of children.
Introduction
Federal authorities and the Los Angeles Police Department arrested nine people Wednesday in a sweeping operation targeting sex trafficking on LA's notorious Figueroa Corridor. Dubbed "Operation Broken Blade," the takedown focused on dismantling a Hoover gang-run network that exploited vulnerable girls and young women.
Operation Broken Blade: A Coordinated Crackdown
The operation, which began early Wednesday morning, involved Homeland Security Investigations and the LAPD. According to First Assistant U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli, the raids targeted human trafficking in the Figueroa corridor, where "girls as young as 14 are being sold for sex." SWAT teams swarmed the Stadium Inn & Spas, arresting manager Mukeshkumar Rambhai Ahir, who allegedly rented 90% of rooms for prostitution and kept half the proceeds.
The Hoover Gang's Stranglehold
The Figueroa Corridor, known locally as "The Blade," has been a notorious sex trade hub for decades. Court documents reveal that the Hoover gang, formed in the late 1970s, maintained control through violence and intimidation. Federal charging documents describe how the gang used firearms to enforce territory and exploited runaways and foster children, forcing them into prostitution with threats and gang tattoos.
"This is a scourge on Los Angeles, and particularly the Figueroa Corridor, and historically not enough has been done to arrest these criminal actors and to rescue these young women," said Essayli.
Victims and Charges
The 65-count superseding indictment unsealed Wednesday lists 51 victims. Among those charged is Cameron Lockett, 23, of Anaheim, who allegedly trafficked an 18-year-old woman, beating her and biting off a chunk of her cheek. The indictment states that the Hoovers recruited victims via social media or in person, targeting those with financial or emotional struggles.
Local California Context
Los Angeles has long struggled with sex trafficking, particularly along the Figueroa Corridor in South LA. This operation marks the first gang case to primarily target human trafficking in the area, according to prosecutors. The LAPD and federal agencies have vowed to continue cracking down on the illicit trade.
Conclusion
Operation Broken Blade represents a significant step in combating sex trafficking in Los Angeles. With nine arrests and a major indictment, authorities aim to disrupt the Hoover gang's operations and rescue victims. The public is urged to report suspected trafficking to the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-888-373-7888.