LOS ANGELES (CN) — Federal prosecutors in Los Angeles have charged members of rival Armenian organized crime groups operating out of the San Fernando Valley with a series of violent crimes, including murder, kidnapping, and stealing more than $83 million in Amazon shipments.
Thirteen members and associates of the so-called Armenian Mafia have been arrested in connection with the crimes, which also involve credit card fraud and other illegal activities. U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli emphasized the commitment to dismantling transnational criminal organizations, warning criminals that communities are “not your playground for violence and thuggery.”
The two factions at the heart of the operation are led by Robert Amiryan, 46, and Ara Artuni, 41, both considered influential figures in the Armenian criminal underworld. Amiryan is described as one of the most prominent crime figures in Los Angeles County, while Artuni, seeking to expand his power, is accused of attempting to overthrow Amiryan’s position.
The Armenian Mafia, originally from the former Soviet Union, is often considered an offshoot of the Russian Mafia. The Los Angeles area is home to one of the largest Armenian populations outside of Armenia, making it a focal point for organized crime in the U.S. Artuni’s faction, which is backed by the Mexican Mafia, is linked to violent acts such as the 2020 Burbank murder, in which a Hispanic gang member killed an Armenian man in a home shooting.
Artuni’s group is also accused of being involved in the attempted murders of Amiryan and his associates. In retaliation, Amiryan allegedly kidnapped and tortured one of Artuni’s associates to extract information about the hit attempts.
Law enforcement was able to trace the kidnapping victim to a house, where they discovered evidence of torture, including blood splatters, body armor, and bullet holes. Mobile phone videos showing the victim being assaulted confirmed the identity of the attackers as members of Amiryan’s organization.
In an international twist, Amiryan reportedly took the evidence to the highest levels of the Armenian Mafia, meeting with the so-called thieves-in-law in Yerevan, Armenia. Shortly after returning from Armenia, Artuni was photographed in Dubai, appearing to have sustained injuries possibly inflicted by senior figures in the criminal network.
The Amazon cargo theft operation, which was allegedly run by Artuni’s group, involved setting up fake trucking companies to steal valuable goods. The group would pick up shipments intended for Amazon warehouses but would offload part of the cargo before delivering the rest, leading to the loss of $83.6 million in goods.
Additionally, Artuni’s group is said to have operated a credit card fraud scheme, draining business accounts before the charges could be disputed or collected.
The defendants face serious charges, with potential sentences ranging from 10 years to life imprisonment if convicted of all counts. The case highlights the growing problem of transnational criminal organizations and their illicit activities affecting communities across the country.
