FRESNO, Calif. — In a major blow to California’s drug underworld, federal authorities have seized over 12,900 pounds of methamphetamine and charged 22 participants in a sophisticated trafficking ring, announced U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert and Special Agent in Charge Siddhartha Patel of the FBI Sacramento Field Office.
Operation Toxic Waste, a joint investigation between the FBI, U.S. Attorney’s Office, and local law enforcement, resulted in the seizure of massive quantities of methamphetamine, cocaine, fentanyl, and heroin. The ring smuggled the narcotics in portable projectors, batteries, semi-trucks, and even gas tanks of cars, using GPS tracking devices to monitor the shipments. The scheme was so brazen that it almost seemed like a legitimate transportation business.
“Criminal organizations that bring drugs here like methamphetamine, fentanyl, cocaine, and heroin in large quantities for profit pose a direct threat to the residents of the Eastern District of California,” said U.S. Attorney Talbert. “The U.S. Attorney’s Office is committed to joining with the FBI and our other law enforcement partners to disrupt and dismantle drug trafficking organizations.”
The indictment, returned by a federal grand jury in Fresno, names 22 defendants allegedly involved in the trafficking ring. Among them are Adolfo Montiel, 45, of Lancaster, who used his residence as a “stash house” to store and distribute the organization’s drugs. Montiel also allegedly possessed and sold firearms. Jose Nunez, 42, of Lancaster, was charged with conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, cocaine, and fentanyl, and operated a methamphetamine laboratory in Los Angeles County.
Others charged include Jesus Perez Garcia Jr., 24, of Los Angeles, who coordinated the receipt of drugs smuggled across the border; Andres Silva-Corona Perez, 42, of San Bernardino, who operated a stash house with over 500 pounds of methamphetamine; Ruben Saenz, 36, of Los Angeles, who transported over 4,700 pounds of methamphetamine in a semi-truck; Elvis David Vasquez, 32, of Northridge, who operated a stash house and repackaged over 170 pounds of methamphetamine; and Sergio Pena, 30, of Hacienda Heights, who was charged with conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine.
The investigation, which lasted several months, involved tens of thousands of recorded communications and revealed the extent of the organization’s operations. The seizure of over 12,900 pounds of methamphetamine is a significant blow to the California drug trade, and the indictment of 22 defendants is a major step towards dismantling the trafficking ring.
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Key Facts
- State: California
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Drug Trafficking|Fraud & Financial Crimes|Violent Crime
- Source: Official Source ↗
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