LOS ANGELES — Federal authorities say 19 people have been arrested for alleged firearms and drug crimes in an anti-gang sting that involved a Venice tattoo parlor run by undercover agents.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives said Wednesday that “Operation Villainz Ink” targeted alleged members of the Venice 13 gang, which operates in Venice and the Culver City area.
ATF spokesman Chris Hoffman says the tattoo parlor attracted a number of suspected gang members who allegedly sold illegal narcotics and committed firearms violations. Hoffman says one man is suspected of selling a gun to an undercover agent.
The four-month investigation was conducted by the ATF and the Los Angeles Police Department, with help from the Drug Enforcement Administration, state Corrections officials, LA County probation officers, and the Inglewood Police Department.