Federal prosecutors announced Wednesday the dismantling of an alleged open-air crack cocaine market operated by the West Coast Crips, just 1.5 miles from San Diego's Petco Park. The crackdown resulted in federal charges against 30 suspected gang members and associates.
The indictment alleges that the gang transformed the corner of 2900 Imperial Ave. into a daytime drug bazaar where customers allegedly purchased crack cocaine from street dealers, while wholesale suppliers provided the illicit product. The operation is accused of distributing approximately 20 pounds of cocaine weekly in 2025, valued at an estimated $550,000 on the street, serving thousands of repeat customers across various San Diego neighborhoods.
This year-long investigation, which began in 2024, involved over 350 federal, state, and local law enforcement officers executing 21 search warrants. Authorities arrested 28 of the 30 defendants by Wednesday afternoon, with two remaining at large.
Investigators documented daily crack cocaine sales through surveillance and wiretapped conversations, which reportedly captured conspirators arranging to restock their supply. The investigation led to the seizure of more than 11 pounds of cocaine, over $14,000 in cash, two handguns, and a money-counting machine.
Prosecutors stated the alleged market was also a hub for gang activity and violence. Court documents indicate that West Coast Crips members observe an annual "set day" around March 30 to assert their claim over the 30th Street corridor. During a March 30, 2025, gathering, members and associates allegedly disrupted traffic and ignored police dispersal orders.
The corner market was also the scene of gun violence, including an incident on Jan. 9 where shots were fired into a crowd near the market, injuring at least two people.
"With these 30 indictments, the message is simple: San Diego is a paradise, but it’s not a gangster’s paradise," said U.S. Attorney Adam Gordon. "We will not allow violent criminal organizations to profit from the addiction and despair of others."
Many of the defendants are repeat offenders, with at least 22 prior felony convictions, primarily for drug sales. Five were on post-conviction supervision at the time of the alleged conspiracy. Among those charged is alleged conspiracy leader Rynell Baker, who has a prior first-degree murder conviction from 1994 and was paroled in 2021.
All 30 defendants face charges of conspiracy to distribute cocaine and cocaine base. If convicted, they could receive a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in federal prison, with a maximum penalty of life imprisonment and fines up to $10 million.