Southern California money-laundering ring broken up
By Gus Quisenberry,
Updated Oct 5, 2015, 1:03 p.m.
Thirteen individuals have been arrested in Los Santos and San Diego in a series of raids targeting a money-laundering network associated with members of the Valenti crime family and Chaldean organized crime. Among those arrested were Bashir Aziz, 43, a community leader based in El Cajon, San Diego and Valenti enforcers Michael Marinelli a/k/a "Marinara", 35, and Carmine Gennaro a/k/a "Flat Foot", 46. The three stand accused of operating as ring leaders to the conspiracy.
The majority of the suspects, detained last month, are owners of or otherwise associated to cash-heavy businesses dotted across Southern California. 33 business premises were raided in a state-wide operation that combined the efforts of federal and local authorities which resulted in $89,500 in cash being recovered, as well as 6kgs cannabis and 34,045 illicit packets of cigarettes being seized. In one premises, a large concealment was discovered behind a hydraulic wall filled with illicit cigarettes and bundles of cash.
Federal authorties have announced the three ringleaders remain in custody and that more arrests may follow.
