Drugs, cash and phony documents seized in joint ICE, DMV bust

RENO, Nev. - Following a lengthy investigation and successful sting operation Thursday, investigators with the Nevada Department of Motor Vehicles' Compliance Enforcement Division and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) shut down a major false document factory and arrested four Reno residents on state charges.

A search of two residences resulted in the seizure of computers, printers, card stock and a large amount of cash and narcotics. Those arrested are: David Herrera-Saldana, 40, Susana Trejo-Dominguez, 37, Victor Mendoza-Rios, 38, and Juan Castillo-Baez, 35.

"Anyone who knowingly and indiscriminately creates or sells phony identity cards is putting the security of our communities and even our country at risk," said John Budrewicz, resident agent in charge of ICE HSI in Reno. "Counterfeit documents can potentially be used by dangerous criminals and others who are attempting to obscure their identities and cover their tracks."

Herrera-Saldana was charged with felony possession of a controlled substance (cocaine), felony possession of a controlled substance for sale, felony trafficking and three felony counts of possession of false identification. He's being held on $39,500 bail.

Trejo-Dominguez was charged with three felony counts of transfer of false identity documents and is being held on $6,000 bail.

Mendoza-Rios was charged with one felony count of transfer of false identity documents. His bail is $2,000.

Castillo-Baez was charged with one felony count of transfer of false documents and is being held on $2,000 bail.

The investigation, which also involved the Reno Police Department, is ongoing, with additional charges pending against the four defendants.

This article was sponsored by Police Books.