Estimated Value of $7 Million : Cocaine Seized in 2 Raids; 14 Arrested

Glendale police have arrested 14 people and seized nearly 40 pounds of cocaine worth an estimated $7 million from two drug-trafficking rings in the San Fernando and San Gabriel valleys, police said Wednesday.

Seven people were arrested Monday and early Tuesday at two apartments in Van Nuys and homes in Sherman Oaks and Northridge, Glendale Police Sgt. Mark Distaso said. The group is believed to be part of a drug ring operating in the San Fernando Valley, he said.

A total of 15 1/2 pounds of cocaine was seized, as well as a semiautomatic pistol with a silencer, two semiautomatic carbines and three other pistols.

The names of those being held were not disclosed because more arrests are pending, Distaso said.

In a separate investigation, Glendale police Friday arrested seven people believed to have been operating a drug ring that extended from Glendale to Arcadia, Officer Christopher Loop said.

Police seized 15 1/2 pounds of cocaine from an Arcadia home and arrested the residents, Jose Hernandez Cardenas, 52, and Graciela Cardenas Roa, 27.

Another two pounds of cocaine and $192,000 in cash was confiscated from four guests at the Comfort Inn in Pasadena. Those taken into custody were Jorge Penas, 29, and Leida Flores, 33, of Miami; Edmundo Perez, 32, of San Mateo, and Henry Rodriguez, 33, address unknown.

In addition, police said they seized 6 1/2 pounds of cocaine from a home in an unspecified area of Los Angeles and arrested Ana Monterrosa, 21, of Los Angeles.

The seven were arraigned Tuesday in Los Angeles Municipal Court and bail amounts ranging from $100,000 to $500,000 were set.

Both investigations were spurred by tips to Glendale police, Distaso said.