Lead Defendant in Massive Gang Case Sentenced to 30 Years in Prison for Wide-Ranging Drug Trafficking Activities

JAN 06 - LOS ANGELES – The lead defendant in a federal RICO indictment that was brought as part of the nation’s largest-ever gang sweep was sentenced today to 30 years in federal prison for helping coordinate the racketeering activities of the Varrio Hawaiian Gardens street gang and distributing large quantities of narcotics.

George Manuel Flores, also known as Boxer, 43, was sentenced by United States District Judge Dale S. Fischer, who is presiding over the 57-defendant racketeering indictment that was the centerpiece of “Operation Knock Out” in 2009.

Flores was the lead defendant in the RICO indictment, a longtime member of the Hawaiian Gardens gang, and a sometimes “shot-caller” who was able to issue orders to other gang members and collect “taxes” from drug dealers.

Flores pleaded guilty on March 26, 2010 to five counts: racketeering conspiracy; conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute crack cocaine, methamphetamine, heroin, and marijuana; two counts of possession with the intent to distribute heroin; and being a felon in possession of ammunition.

In court documents filed in relation to today’s sentencing hearing, prosecutors pointed out that Flores was a longtime drug dealer, who was “a blight” on the city of Hawaiian Gardens. For over a decade, [Flores] ran what are fairly described as several illegal drug ‘supermarkets’ from houses in Hawaiian Gardens that were open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, at which his customers could buy the drug of their choice.”

In relation to the narcotics conspiracy count to which he pleaded guilty, Flores specifically admitted that he was responsible for the distribution of more than 30 kilograms of heroin, more than 4.5 kilograms of crack cocaine, more than 1.5 kilograms of pure methamphetamine, more than 15 kilograms of narcotics that contained methamphetamine, and more than 100 kilograms of marijuana.

Operation Knock Out was an investigation into Varrio Hawaiian Gardens conducted by the Los Angeles High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) Task Force, which is comprised of agents and officers with the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department; the Drug Enforcement Administration; the Federal Bureau of Investigation; the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations; and IRS - Criminal Investigation.

Timothy J. Landrum, DEA Special Agent in Charge in Los Angeles stated, “Today’s sentencing sends a clear message that DEA will to continue to work with our law enforcement partners to ensure that those responsible for propagating violence and distress in our neighborhoods are brought to justice.”