LAPD makes 50 arrests in skid row drug investigation

The Los Angeles Police Department on Friday announced that it has made 50 arrests with 16 additional arrests pending after its two-year investigation into narcotics sold on the city's notorious skid row in downtown L.A.

"This investigation showed us there are people living in the suburbs, some with violent criminal histories, who wake up every day and make the conscious decision to commute to the Downtown area and sell dangerous and highly addictive drugs on the streets," Drug Enforcement Agency L.A. Field Division Special Agent in Charge Bill Bodner said in a Friday statement.

He continued: "Their target customers in many cases are people experiencing homelessness. With drug caused deaths up nationally over 30% from last year, and the signs of mental health struggles and substance use disorder becoming more and more evident in our city, we must continue to take steps like this investigation to stop this callous exploitation and victimization of our most vulnerable communities."