LOS ANGELES—An investigation by the San
Gabriel Valley Safe Streets Task Force resulted in the arrest of 16 of 27
defendants today who face federal narcotics charges for their roles in a
methamphetamine distribution network, announced representatives from the
agencies who jointly conducted the investigation at a press conference this
morning.
The arrests this morning mark the
culmination of an 16-month investigation by the San Gabriel Valley Safe Streets
Gang Task Force, which is made up of agents and officers with the Federal
Bureau of Investigation, the Pasadena Police Department, the Los Angeles County
Sheriff’s Department, and the California Department of Corrections and
Rehabilitation. Agents with the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Bureau
of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives devoted a great deal of resources
throughout this investigation.
A federal grand jury returned an
indictment in U.S. District Court in Los Angeles. The indictment, which was
unsealed this morning, charges a total of 27 defendants, several of whom were
already in custody prior to today’s operation. The indictment outlines hundreds
of overt acts that formed the basis for the conspiracy to manufacture, possess,
and distribute large quantities of nearly pure methamphetamine.
The indictment charges the defendants
for their roles in the distribution of methamphetamine, the possession with the
intent to distribute methamphetamine; for conspiring to manufacture, possess
with intent to distribute, and distribution of methamphetamine; and maintaining
drug-involved premises, all violations of the United States Code, Title 21. The
defendants are listed below; some of the defendants are not fully identified at
this time. Eight defendants are currently being sought by law enforcement.
Jose Juan Garcia Barron, 33, of Ontario
Martin Barron Alcazar, of Ontario
Rudy Arma Jose Chavez Espinosa, 38, of
Bloomington
Enrique Centeno Reyes, 36, of Ontario
Jorge Luis Barron Zarate, of Ontario
Tony LNU, of Ontario
Jose Maria Chavez, Jr., of Chino
Jose Maria Chavez, of Baldwin Park
Danielle Lupian, of Ontario
Ines Castillion Joya, 29, of Ontario
FNU LNU Jorge Ruelas, of Pomona
Rudy Zepeda, 35, of Pomona
Jose Alvarado, 24, of Pomona
David Aguilar, of Pomona
Rafael Favela Sara Garrido, of Montclair
Oscar Robles, of Rialto Miguel Saucedo,
of Pomona
Andres Yepez, 32, of Pomona
Daniel Yepez, 28, of Pomona
Miguel Zaragoza
Pete LNU
Christopher Alvarado, 36, of Pomona
Isaac Cervantes, 30, of Rancho
Cucamonga Marcos Orejel, 24
The indictment details the roles of each
defendant in the methamphetamine distribution conspiracy involving members and
associates of the La Familial Michoacán drug trafficking organization (or LFM)
and gang members associated with Los Amables and Westside Pomona Malditos gang
members.
The indictment alleges that a main
defendant, Jose Juan Garcia Barron, spent time between Los Angeles County and
Mexico and controlled the importation of methamphetamine from Mexico to the
United States, where it was sold on the streets of Los Angeles County by
networks made up of local gang members or their associates, who pay taxes to
the Mexican Mafia.
The drugs were imported in an unfinished
or liquid state and were then converted for local distribution in a process known
as or re-crystallization or “icing.” Investigators believe the drugs were
imported by airplane, boats, and in vehicles crossing the border, and the
quality of the methamphetamine was, in most cases, 99 percent pure. The
defendants range from alleged cartel members to street gang members or
associates whose activity fueled violence in the communities in which they
operated.
In addition to today’s arrests, 13
search warrants were executed in Los Angeles, Riverside, and San Bernardino
Counties. During the execution of the search warrants, investigators found
quantities of methamphetamine, white rock substances, various pills not yet
identified, drug paraphernalia, and at least nine firearms. Searches are
continuing throughout the morning.
The federal defendants arrested today
are expected to make their initial court appearances this afternoon in United
States District Court in downtown Los Angeles. Many of the defendants face a
10-year statutory maximum penalty of life in prison, if convicted, and some of
the defendants face life in prison, if convicted on all charges.
Several agencies participated in the
execution of arrest and search warrants this morning, to include agents and
officers with the Ontario Police Department; L.A. IMPACT; U.S. Immigration, Customs
Enforcement Homeland Security Investigations; and the Los Angeles Police
Department.
This case is being prosecuted by the
United States Attorney’s Office in Los Angeles.
An indictment contains allegations that
a defendant has committed a crime. Every defendant is presumed to be innocent
until proven guilty in court.
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