Rigoberto Sanchez Martinez, Fentanyl Trafficking, California 2023

A sweeping federal investigation has led to the arrest of eight defendants in connection with a Southern California drug trafficking ring that distributed large quantities of fentanyl, methamphetamine, heroin, and other narcotics across the United States, authorities announced.

According to a 20-count federal indictment unsealed yesterday, the defendants, including Rigoberto Sanchez Martinez, 36, of Perris, allegedly obtained wholesale quantities of narcotics, oversaw their storage, and coordinated distribution of the drugs to locations in Washington and New York.

The indictment alleges that Martinez, who is charged with leading the drug ring, obtained wholesale quantities of narcotics, oversaw their storage, and coordinated distribution of the drugs to locations in Washington and New York.

Authorities made multiple seizures of narcotics, firearms, and cash in connection with the investigation, including a May 25, 2018, seizure of approximately 54 kilograms of methamphetamine, nearly a kilogram of cocaine, and more than 25 kilograms of marijuana from a stash house near Whittier High School in Whittier, California.

On the same day, Martinez allegedly instructed another stash house operator to bury narcotics and drug proceeds in the ground by digging a deep hole and covering them with items such as Vicks VapoRub, coffee, pepper, and powdered soap.

During the following year, investigators made several other seizures, including just over $240,000 in cash and numerous firearms seized from a drug courier returning from a trip to Washington; $1,041,970 in cash recovered from a residence in Long Beach; and $118,800 in cash seized from a drug courier who had travelled from New York with the intent to purchase five kilograms of cocaine from Martinez.

The eight defendants arrested yesterday are expected to be arraigned on the indictment this afternoon in United States District Court in downtown Los Angeles.

An indictment contains allegations that a defendant has committed a crime. Every defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

Related Federal Cases