Thread: 64 Charged in theft of military equipment, 10,000 round of ammo from Camp Pendleton

Marines among those implicated in Camp Pendleton area crime ringBy Cpl. Chelsea Flowers Anderson | Headquarters Marine Corps | June 06, 2013


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The Naval Criminal Investigative Service investigated 64 individuals including active-duty and former Marines and sailors, and confiscated one million dollars worth of contraband in connection with an organized crime ring in the Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif., area as part of Operation “Perfect Storm” June 4. Among the items confiscated were enhanced small arms protective insert plates, tactical vests, M-40 gas masks, 10,000 rounds of 5.56 millimeter ammunition and night vision goggles, in addition to drugs and other contraband. (Photo by Sgt. Tyler Main)

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FORT GEORGE G. MEADE, Md. -- The Naval Criminal Investigative Service investigated 64 individuals, some of whom are active-duty and former Marines and sailors, and confiscated one million dollars worth of contraband in connection with an organized crime ring in the Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif., area as part of Operation “Perfect Storm” June 4.

The operation is the result of an organized theft and narcotics undercover operation that began Aug. 8, 2012. The inter-agency operation included NCIS, the San Diego County Regional Automobile Theft Task Force, Homeland Security Investigations and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

Currently, there have been 64 grand jury indictments, two federal arrest warrants, and three Uniform Code of Military Justice apprehensions. Seven Marines, one sailor and seven Marine veterans have been implicated, ranging in rank from lance corporal to gunnery sergeant.

Items confiscated in the raid include cocaine, methamphetamines, ecstasy, enhanced small arms protective insert plates, tactical vests, M-40 gas masks, tool kits, high capacity magazines, 10,000 rounds of 5.56 millimeter ammunition, thermal monoculars, night vision goggles, semi-automatic rifles, shotguns, pistols, U.S. currency, and 92 stolen automobiles. The street value of the items is estimated at one million dollars.

“The results of Operation Perfect Storm underscore the power of sharing law enforcement’s resources and expertise in the ongoing battle against thievery and other street crimes that threaten the safety of people from all walks of life in our communities,” said Derek Benner, special agent in charge for HSI in San Diego.
http://www.hqmc.marines.mil/News/NewsArticleDisplay/tabid/3488/Article/144079/marines-among-those-implicated-in-camp-pendleton-area-crime-ring.aspx

92 stolen cars, military gear recovered in sting

SAN DIEGO — An eight-month undercover operation in North County netted 92 stolen vehicles worth nearly $700,000, as well as guns, drugs and stolen military equipment such as gas masks and bullet-proof vests, authorities said Thursday.
Sixty-four defendants — including two active duty military personnel and six ex-military employees — were indicted as a result of “Operation Perfect Storm,” District Attorney Bonnie Dumanis said.
The “indictments mean dozens of car thieves who were also trafficking guns and drugs in the North County have been shut down,” she said.
The suspects were invited to a undisclosed North County storefront to sale their wares and were recorded on video while selling undercover detectives stolen cars, firearms and ammunition.
The defendants, arrested Tuesday, face charges including insurance fraud, vehicle theft, drug sales and possession of military stolen property. The operation s done by the Regional Auto Theft Task Force in cooperation with Immigration and Customs Enforcement and the Naval Criminal Investigative Service.

http://fox5sandiego.com/2013/06/06/u...#ixzz2VTZhyspi

Military personnel caught in stolen-property sting in San Diego County

San Diego County Dist. Atty. Bonnie Dumanis and other officials display some of the military gear seized in the sting operation. (San Diego County district attorney's office / June 6, 2013)

By Tony PerryJune 6, 2013, 4:47 p.m.


Seven active-duty Marines, one sailor and seven former Marines are among 64 people arrested after an eight-month sting operation focusing on stolen cars and other property in northern San Diego County, authorities announced Thursday.
Some 92 stolen vehicles, worth $692,603, were seized by a multi-agency task force working on Operation Perfect Storm, county Dist. Atty. Bonnie Dumanis said. Dozens of serial car thieves "have been shut down," she said.
The military gear seized includes helmets, night-vision goggles, gas masks, bullet-resistant vests and 10,000 rounds of ammunition. Also seized were nine weapons and quantities of cocaine and methamphetamine.
As part of the investigation, a phony storefront was established where thieves could sell their loot, Dumanis said. Among the agencies involved in the investigation was the Naval Criminal Investigative Service, which has authority over investigations at Camp Pendleton and other bases.

http://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-ln-gear-sting-20130606,0,7202043.story