In a significant operation, federal agents arrested two individuals at a home in the San Fernando Valley that authorities describe as a hub for human smuggling activities tied to national security threats.
The arrests were made by Customs and Border Protection (CBP) during a search of the property located on Napa Street in North Hills, California.
Smuggling and Terrorism Links:
Earlier this week, federal agents apprehended seven Iranian nationals at the same address, some of whom were reportedly on the FBI Terror Watchlist and are believed to have connections to an Iranian human trafficking network.
CBP stated that the location had been repeatedly used to harbor illegal entrants linked to terrorism.
CBP’s Special Response Team conducted the search on Friday afternoon, targeting the residence after months of surveillance.
“CBP is taking aggressive action to shut down smuggling networks and remove national security threats before they can do harm,” the agency said in a post on X.
🚨BREAKING🚨
CBP executed a federal search warrant today at a human smuggling hub in Los Angeles tied to national security threats. Two individuals were arrested during the operation, which was led by CBP’s Special Response Team with support from Border Patrol tactical units and… pic.twitter.com/9bhtCw2iWs
— CBP (@CBP) June 27, 2025
Neighbor Reactions:
Residents in the North Hills neighborhood expressed shock upon learning that individuals tied to terrorism were living so close. Claudio Bonoli, a local resident, noted that someone new had moved into the home around six months ago.
According to Bonoli, the new residents kept to themselves but were often seen late at night pacing on their phones or sitting on the curb, making the neighbors feel uncomfortable.
“There was a bunch of young people and they would hang out at night, pacing on the phone, sitting on the curb,” Bonoli said. He and other neighbors were taken aback when they discovered that individuals associated with terrorist groups had been in their quiet neighborhood.
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“It’s only two houses from my house,” Bonoli added. “This has been a really great, quiet neighborhood for a long time. So, it’s totally surprising.”
Ongoing Investigation:
The investigation continues, and authorities are working to shut down the smuggling networks operating in the area.
With the growing concerns about national security, local residents remain on edge as federal authorities continue their efforts to dismantle these dangerous operations.
What are your thoughts on this operation and its impact on your community? Feel free to share your views! For more updates and to learn how you can get involved, visit RidgecrestPact.org
