An investigation into an Iraqi social club in California has uncovered evidence leading law enforcement officials to believe Iraqis are working with one of Mexico’s most dangerous drug cartels.
Over the last 10 years the Southern California Iraqi social club in El Cajon with ties to the Chaldean Organized Crime Syndicate has been investigated various times for being involved in drug sales, gambling, car theft, and gun smuggling.
In 2010, police began looking into the increase in drug trafficking and violent crime throughout El Cajon. Much of this crime was attributed to Iraqi organized crime elements, which was recently discovered to be involved with the Mexican mafia, as well as the Sinaloa drug cartel.
The club at 811 E. Main Street was identified as the hub of criminal activity by the Iraqi organized crime unit in El Cajon. Police say the crimes that occurred there included attempted murder, methamphetamine and marijuana sales, sale of diverted pharmaceuticals, gambling, resisting arrest, illegal liquor sales, and illegal sales of firearms.
