A major drug trafficking operation based in Imperial Valley has been disrupted with the unsealing of five federal indictments charging 48 individuals with ties to the Sinaloa Cartel. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of California announced the charges today, revealing that the group was allegedly involved in the distribution of methamphetamine, fentanyl, cocaine, and heroin, along with bulk cash smuggling.
In a coordinated operation this morning, more than 140 law enforcement officers from federal, state, and local agencies arrested 25 defendants and executed 15 search warrants across multiple locations, including Imperial County, San Diego, Los Angeles, Stockton, Yuma (Arizona), and Las Vegas (Nevada). Authorities seized approximately 8,000 pounds of methamphetamine, along with significant quantities of fentanyl, cocaine, and heroin.
U.S. Attorney Tara McGrath praised the operation, stating, “With the indictment of four dozen individuals, we are not only disrupting a major drug trafficking network but also taking significant steps to protect our community from the devastation these drugs cause.”
The operation involved a range of defendants from various locations, including Francisco Ramirez, 52, from Tolleson, Arizona; Bernadette Lucero Vallejos, 33, from Goodyear, Arizona; and numerous others from Mexico and across California, including individuals from cities such as El Centro, Brawley, and Mexicali.
The investigation continues, with 23 fugitives still actively being sought by authorities. These arrests and seizures mark a significant blow to the cartel’s operations in the region, highlighting the ongoing efforts of law enforcement to combat drug trafficking and its impact on communities.
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