SANTA ANA, California
A federal grand jury has indicted 19 defendants, including 12 who were arrested today, for their alleged roles in a massive heroin distribution organization in Orange County.
According to the indictment, Julio Cesar Martinez, a.k.a. “Primo,” 43, of Riverside, and his brother, Victor Martinez, a.k.a. “Hector,” 44, of Hemet, owned and operated a heroin distribution organization in Orange County, obtaining the drug from suppliers in Mexico and the United States.
Between March 2017 and April 2021, the organization allegedly distributed at least $2 million worth of heroin, transporting it to Orange County via couriers who concealed the drug in their body cavities.
Maricela Guerrero, a.k.a. “Carla,” 53, of Santa Ana, and Marla Portillo Cordova, a.k.a. “Yvette,” 34, also of Santa Ana, allegedly assisted in the daily operations of the distribution organization, accepting telephone orders for heroin and directing other conspirators to deliver the drug to buyers.
The indictment alleges that the organization laundered $2 million in proceeds through bank accounts held by Cordova and other individuals, structuring the deposits into amounts under $10,000 to evade federal reporting requirements.
The charges carry statutory maximum sentences of life imprisonment for conspiracy to distribute heroin and 20 years in federal prison for money laundering conspiracy.
The investigation, led by the FBI and IRS Criminal Investigation, involved assistance from local law enforcement agencies and resulted in the arrest of 12 defendants, with seven remaining fugitives.
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Key Facts
- State: California
- Category: Drug Trafficking|Fraud & Financial Crimes|Violent Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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