Los Angeles City Attorney Mike Feuer’s office has filed a narcotics and gang-related nuisance abatement lawsuit against the owner of a South Los Angeles apartment complex. The buildings allegedly had become a heavily-fortified gang stronghold for crack cocaine production and sales.

“It’s completely unacceptable that just down the street from a middle school, this allegedly gang-controlled apartment complex is a source of crime and drugs in this neighborhood,” Feuer said.

The city attorney’s lawsuit names Pedro Castillo and Teresa Salazar, the owners of an eight-unit apartment complex located at 1847-1849 1/2 Florence Ave. The apartment is located less than 400 feet from Horace Mann Middle School and is within a half-mile of an elementary school.

The property is allegedly controlled by factions of the Eight Tray Gangster Crips and Neighborhood Crips gangs, rivals who have negotiated a truce so they can collaborate on manufacturing and selling crack cocaine from units in the property. Gang members have allegedly installed counter-surveillance cameras, reinforced gates and doors on the property with heavy gauge metal panels and plates welded into them to secure their drug operations from law enforcement.

In the past year, there have been four LAPD-controlled narcotics purchases at the property and two search warrants executed, as well as multiple arrests of gang members on drug trafficking charges. LAPD officers have also responded to the property numerous times for stabbings and a shooting as well as a June 2015 incident of human trafficking allegedly tied to the property.

Feuer recently established ways for residents to report properties where there is gang and narcotics activity. Call (213)978-8340 or visit www.lacityattorney.org.