Arrests, Drug Seizures, And Federal Drug Trafficking Charges Surge In San Francisco Through Coordinated Federal-Local Law Enforcement Efforts

SAN FRANCISCO - The U.S. Attorney's Office and law enforcement partners announced today the results of a surge in federal drug enforcement measures in San Francisco. Between early October 2025 to the end of May 2026, coordinated federal and local law enforcement efforts resulted in the seizure of over 2.2 kilograms of fentanyl, over 840 grams of methamphetamine, over $38,000 in drug proceeds, and approximately 89 arrests in San Francisco. Over the same period, the U.S. Attorney's Office brought federal criminal charges against more than 40 defendants for drug trafficking in San Francisco.

"There are some problems that cannot be solved alone and this was one of them. San Francisco's open-air drug markets were rending the fabric of the city, but working together with our federal, state, and local partners we have made significant progress cleaning up the streets of our great city and we will continue this important work. We owe the people who live and work here nothing less," said United States Attorney Craig H. Missakian. "As we come off a successful Super Bowl and look forward to welcoming the world for FIFA, we hope that visitors will see what our citizens already know that our city and region are stronger and safer than ever."

"The DEA is proud of our relationships with our federal, state, and local task force officers. These partnerships provide a force multiplier in the fight against Drug Trafficking Organizations to save American lives, " said DEA Special Agent in Charge Bob P. Beris.

"The FBI remains fully committed to working side by side with our federal, state, and local partners to disrupt the criminal networks responsible for bringing dangerous drugs into our community. These results demonstrate what we can accomplish when we combine our authorities, intelligence, and resources toward a shared mission. Every arrest and every seizure represents a meaningful step toward improving the safety and well being of the people of San Francisco, and we will continue this coordinated effort with urgency and resolve," said FBI Special Agent in Charge Scott Schelble.

"Selling and using deadly narcotics in San Francisco will never be tolerated, and the San Francisco Police Department will continue to work closely with our federal partners to crack down on illegal drug markets across our city," said SFPD Chief Derrick Lew. "I want to thank our partners at the United States Attorney's Office, the FBI, and the DEA for their close partnership in this vital work. While we have more work to do, today's announcement shows the progress San Francisco is making in taking major quantities of drugs off our streets and holding traffickers accountable."

Many of the federal cases recently charged or resolved involve large quantities of drugs and carry mandatory minimum sentences for the offenders under federal drug statutes. Examples include:

• Kiet Ly, 46, of San Francisco, who was indicted by a federal grand jury on September 9, 2025. Ly pleaded guilty on December 10, 2025, to one count of possession with intent to distribute 50 grams and more of a mixture or substance containing methamphetamine in violation of 21 U.S.C. § 841(a)(1) and (b)(1)(B) and one count of possession of a firearm and ammunition as a felon in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 922(g), as well as to related supervised release violations. According to the plea agreement, on or about July 19, 2025, law enforcement searched the car that Ly was driving in San Francisco and found 117 grams of methamphetamine and a Glock pistol loaded with seven bullets. Ly was sentenced to ten years in federal prison on May 14, 2026.
• Martha Alvarado Rodriguez, 50, and Solis Soto Alvardo, 35, both from Oakland, who were each charged by information with one count of possession with intent to distribute fentanyl and one count of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine in violation of 21 U.S.C. § 841(a)(1) and (b)(1)(C). According to court documents and proceedings, Rodriguez and Alvardo sold fentanyl to undercover police officers on more than one occasion in the Tenderloin District of San Francisco. A search of their car found 73.9 gross grams of fentanyl, 33.5 gross grams of methamphetamine, and 16.2 grams gross of cocaine base. Rodriguez and Alvardo pleaded guilty on November 5, 2025, and were each sentenced to three years in federal prison on April 22, 2026.
• Andy Cruz, 40, of Oakland, who was charged on January 29, 2026, by a superseding information with possession with intent to distribute 40 grams or more of fentanyl in violation of 21 U.S.C. § 841(a)(1) and (b)(1)(B) and failure to appear in court as required. According to court documents and proceedings, Cruz had been selling drugs in the Tenderloin District of San Francisco and elsewhere since 2008. An earlier search of his home discovered nearly one kilogram of fentanyl, 76 grams of heroin, and 25 grams of methamphetamine. He was sentenced to 96 months in federal prison on March 25, 2026.

These efforts expand upon the U.S. Attorney's Office-led "All Hands on Deck" law enforcement initiative to address endemic drug dealing - in particular of fentanyl and methamphetamine - in the Tenderloin District of San Francisco. Since its inception, the initiative has resulted in over 200 federal drug prosecutions and over 160 convictions, with cases still pending.

The recent increased operations involved coordination among the U.S. Attorney's Office, DEA, FBI, ATF, IRS Criminal Investigations, the San Francisco Police Department, the San Francisco District Attorney's Office, and California Highway Patrol. Additional operations are planned in the coming months.

A criminal complaint, information, or indictment merely alleges that crimes have been committed, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.