Federal bust nabs Armenian mafia ring tied to $83-million cargo theft, kidnapping, attempted murder VIDEO

In a sweeping federal operation spanning multiple US states, 13 suspects linked to an Armenian organised crime syndicate were arrested in connection with a massive cargo theft ring that stole over $80 million in merchandise from Amazon.

The charges include attempted murder, kidnapping, illegal firearm possession, and large-scale fraud, Caliber.Az reports, citing American media.

The pre-dawn raids—executed by the Department of Homeland Security with assistance from local police departments—targeted a residence in Sun Valley, California, and several other locations in Southern California and Florida. AIR7 captured images of the raid from above as SWAT teams from Burbank and Azusa police surrounded the home on Cabernet Court.

According to the U.S. Attorney for the Central District of California, Bilal A. Essayli, the arrested individuals are members of a transnational criminal organisation affiliated with the Russian mafia. Investigators allege the group ran a sophisticated cargo theft operation by fraudulently registering as Amazon trucking carriers, rerouting shipments, and stealing goods in transit. The syndicate also reportedly engaged in a "credit card bust-out" scheme, charging fake transactions to credit cards via a sham business and draining the funds before the fraud could be detected.

Officials seized $100,000 in cash, 14 firearms, and three armoured vehicles during the operation. The suspects face federal charges that carry potential sentences ranging from 10 years to life in prison.

“The brutality and structure of this group mirrored that of an international cartel,” said the acting deputy director of Homeland Security Investigations in Los Angeles. “Their operations inflicted serious harm on public safety and disrupted legitimate commerce.”

Among those arrested were:

• Ara Artuni, 41, of Porter Ranch – charged with attempted murder in aid of racketeering.

• Robert Amiryan, 46, of Hollywood – charged with kidnapping; reportedly Artuni’s rival in a local power struggle.

• Vahan Harutyunyan, 50, of Hollywood, Florida – appeared in court in Fort Lauderdale and was ordered detained.

• Levon Arakelyan, 45, of Las Vegas – in state custody on unrelated charges.

• Ivan Bojorquez, 33, of Gardena – also in state custody on unrelated charges.

The group’s criminal activities reportedly stemmed from an internal feud between two rival factions vying for control of operations in Los Angeles County since 2022. According to affidavits filed with the criminal complaints, this power struggle led to multiple murder attempts and a kidnapping.

Neighbours near the Sun Valley residence described frequent suspicious activity over the past five years. One neighbour recounted how law enforcement crashed through the property gate around 4 a.m. before hearing a loud thud from inside the house.

Federal authorities say they are still searching for one remaining suspect connected to the case.

By Khagan Isayev