Hector Armando Espinoza, Drug Trafficking, California 2024

California authorities arrested 16 alleged members of an Escondido-based fentanyl trafficking organization in a coordinated takedown this morning.

The defendants, including Hector Armando Espinoza and Demetrius Collins, AKA ‘Demo,’ were charged with distributing large quantities of methamphetamine, fentanyl, cocaine, and Adderall in two federal indictments unsealed in San Diego.

More than 150 federal, state, and local law enforcement officials executed 16 search warrants in Escondido, San Diego, Orange County, and Roanoke, Virginia, seizing over 2kg of fentanyl, 53kg of methamphetamine, nine firearms, body armor, large capacity magazines, and ammunition.

The charges include drug trafficking, conspiracy to distribute controlled substances, and conspiracy to commit money laundering offenses.

“This group was flooding our community with methamphetamine, cocaine, fentanyl, and prescription pills—drugs that tear families apart and put lives at risk,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Andrew Haden. “Thanks to this law enforcement effort, we’re taking a major step in making our streets safer and holding traffickers accountable.”

The Escondido Police Department, San Diego County Sheriff’s Office, and other law enforcement agencies worked together to dismantle the organization.

According to search warrants, Hector Armando Espinoza and Demetrius Collins coordinated the distribution of kilogram quantities of methamphetamine and fentanyl. Collins agreed to sell the undercover agent four pounds of methamphetamine and 1,500 fentanyl pills for $10,500 in January 2024 and later five pounds of methamphetamine and 5,000 fentanyl pills for $20,000 in February 2024.

The defendants are currently in custody, but their sentencing information was not provided. The investigation and takedown were the result of a 16-month investigation involving numerous undercover operations and court-authorized wiretaps.

The case is a direct hit against a dangerous drug trafficking network that has been flooding communities with deadly narcotics, authorities said.

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