Police Arrest Alleged Drug Kingpin Of Skid Row At Cerritos Home

CERRITOS (CBSLA.com) — A 48-year-old man who police have called the drug kingpin of Skid Row has been arrested at his home in Cerritos.

Derrick Turner was taken into custody before sunrise Wednesday during a major anti-drug operation, according to the Los Angeles Police Department.

Police said Turner is believed to have preyed on the city's most vulnerable among the homeless population on Skid Row.

Sixteen people, including Turner, were arrested as a result of the raids.

Investigators seized about $1.8 million in currency -- $600,000 of which was in one dollar bills -- along with a large quantity of cocaine.

Authorities said they plan to arrest at least a dozen others who are allegedly involved in the drug ring.

The investigation is ongoing.