Forty-Eight Defendants Charged in Imperial Valley Takedown of Drug Trafficking Network Linked to Sinaloa Cartel

Press Release

EL CENTRO - Five indictments were unsealed in federal court today charging 48 alleged members of an Imperial Valley-based, Sinaloa Cartel-linked drug trafficking organization accused of distributing methamphetamine, fentanyl, cocaine, and heroin and bulk cash smuggling.

In a coordinated takedown this morning, more than 140 federal, state, and local law enforcement officials arrested 25 defendants and executed 15 search warrants in Imperial County, San Diego, Los Angeles, and Stockton, as well as in Yuma, Arizona and Las Vegas, Nevada. As of this afternoon, the search continues for 23 fugitives.

Including seizures today and throughout this long-term investigation, authorities have seized more than 3,600 kg (about 8,000 pounds) of methamphetamine; substantial quantities of fentanyl, cocaine, and heroin; and one firearm.

Crimes charged in the indictments include drug trafficking, conspiracy, and bulk cash smuggling.

According to court records, the defendants belonged to a drug trafficking organization based in the Imperial Valley and Mexicali, Mexico with ties to Los Rusos, one of the most violent and significant factions of the Sinaloa Cartel.

"This investigation represents another blow to traffickers of deadly drugs like fentanyl and methamphetamine," said U.S. Attorney Tara McGrath. "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. We are committed to dismantling these dangerous operations and ensuring that those who fuel the crisis are held accountable."

"HSI's challenge with investigating cases tied to the Sinaloa Cartel is to not just chase those who profit from addiction, but to dismantle the transnational network responsible for plaguing our communities and tearing families apart," said Shawn Gibson, special agent in charge for HSI San Diego. "The success of today's takedown would not have been possible without the unwavering support and assistance from our law enforcement partners. By working together, we each bring a unique skillset to the fight against these trafficking organizations and can disrupt and dismantle cells like these."

"This successful operation underscores the pivotal role that collaboration among federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies plays in safeguarding our communities," stated Roque Caza, Area Port Director for the Calexico Port of Entry. "At U.S. Customs and Border Protection, our mission is to protect the nation's public by preventing dangerous substances from entering the United States. This joint effort highlights our commitment to disrupting the flow of methamphetamine, fentanyl, cocaine, and heroin, addressing the dangerous impacts on public health and safety. Together, we stand strong in our fight against these illicit activities and remain steadfast in protecting our borders and communities."

"The Sinaloa Cartel and any other criminal organization will fare poorly here in the Imperial Valley as we have just seen," said El Centro Sector Border Patrol Chief Gregory Bovino. "With seamless coordination between HSI, the U.S. Attorney's Office, and a multitude of state and local agencies, yet another set of alleged traffickers and criminals were prevented from harming the community."

According to court records, employing undercover operations and four rounds of wiretaps, agents conducted numerous controlled purchases, traffic stops of personal vehicles and several tractor trailers, and searches of houses and stash locations leading to large seizures of narcotics. In one instance on April 27, 2022, authorities seized 256 pounds of methamphetamine after intercepting phone conversations between several defendants about a big sale. Federal agents watched the transaction from afar, then conducted a traffic stop on the drug-laden tractor-trailer. Law enforcement officials located four duffel bags containing 256 pounds of methamphetamine in the cab of the truck.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Sean Van Demark and Owen Roth.

DEFENDANT Case Number 24cr2316-WQH

Adrian Garcia Age: 28 El Centro, CA

SUMMARY OF CHARGES

Distribution of Controlled Substances - Title 21, U.S.C., Sections 841(a) and (b)(1)

Maximum penalty: Life in prison with a mandatory minimum of 10 years and a $10 million fine.

DEFENDANTS Case Number 24cr2320-WQH

Fausto Herrera-Lopez, AKA "Vecino"* 50 Mexicali, MX

Rodolfo Ramirez-Palacios, AKA "Rudy"* 34 Mexicali, MX

Tereso Ramirez-Velasquez 54 San Bernadino, CA

Juan Carlos Ojeda-Saldana 35 Brawley, CA

Jose David Morales-Rodriguez* 46 Brawley, CA

Ernesto Morales-Rodriguez* 41 Mexicali, MX

Vicente Barrera-Robles* 32 Mexicali, MX

Ricardo Ruben Pinzon 24 El Centro, CA

Jose Ramon Ochoa-Monteverde 31 El Centro, CA

Salvador Martinez 54 Los Angeles, CA

Juan Carlos Martinez* 52 Los Angeles, CA

Rogelio Robledo-Valdez* 26 Mexicali, MX

Maria Elena Reyes 50 Wichita, KS

Gabriela Estrada* 46 Mexicali, MX

Jaime Mayoral 40 El Centro, CA

Marcos Arturo Barrera 28 Brawley, CA

Oscar Silvas-Gamez 32 Fresno, CA

Juan Ernesto Salas Villela* 37 Fontana, CA

Yeiming Hernandez 34 Calexico, CA

Frank Gustavo Zendejas 56 Calipatria, CA

Gerardo Medina Plancencia 45 Calexico, CA

Jose Andres Leyva 55 El Centro, CA

Stephanie Melgoza* 21 Salinas, CA

Victor Rene Herrera* 24 Los Angeles, CA

Arnulfo Morfin-Moreno* 52 Pasco, WA

Edgar Garcia* 24 Las Vegas, NV

Roberto Valenzuela De La Torre* 27 Sonora, MX

Leonardo Saldivar* 38 San Bernardino, CA

Francisco Ramirez* 52 Tolleson, Arizona

Luis Fernando Simental Palacios* 34 Mexicali, MX

Abraham Noe Esparza-Garcia* 36 Mexicali, MX

Angelica Guerrero 29 Calexico, CA

Sergio Sanchez 46 Long Beach, CA

Nicholas Adam Fortier 41 Portland, OR

Luis Alberto Felix* 38 Pacoima, CA

Elizabeth Echeverria 43 Las Vega, NV

Pedro Estrada* 50 San Diego, CA

Bernadette Lucero Vallejos* 33 Goodyear, AZ

Maribel Garcia Barajas 56 El Centro, CA

Jose Arturo Mendiola Porras* 57 Mexicali, MX

Enrique Villalobos 43 Stockton, CA

Israel Alejandro Ramirez-Velasquez 60 Perris, CA

SUMMARY OF CHARGES

Conspiracy to Distribute Controlled Substances - Title 21, U.S.C., Sections 841(a)(1), (b)(1), and 846

Maximum penalty: Life in prison with a mandatory minimum of 10 years and a $10 million fine

Distribution of Controlled Substances - Title 21, U.S.C., Sections 841(a) and (b)(1)

Maximum penalty: Life in prison with a mandatory minimum of 10 years and a $10 million fine

Possession of Controlled Substances with Intent to Distribute - Title 21, U.S.C., Sections 841(a) and (b)(1)

Maximum penalty: Life in prison with a mandatory minimum of 10 years and a $10 million fine

Bulk Cash Smuggling - Title 31, U.S.C., Section 5332(a) and (b)

Maximum penalty: Five years in prison and a $250,000 fine

Conspiracy to Commit Bulk Cash Smuggling - Title 18, U.S.C., Section 371

Maximum penalty: Five years in prison and a $250,000 fine

DEFENDANT Case Number 24cr2318-WQH

Nilda Charlenne Ledon Age: 34 El Centro, CA

SUMMARY OF CHARGES

Bulk Cash Smuggling - Title 31, U.S.C., Section 5332(a) and (b)

Maximum penalty: Five years in prison and a $250,000 fine

DEFENDANT Case Number 24cr2319-WQH

Jasmine Santos Age: 34 Los Angeles, CA

SUMMARY OF CHARGES

Bulk Cash Smuggling - Title 31, U.S.C., Section 5332(a) and (b)

Maximum penalty: Five years in prison and a $250,000 fine

DEFENDANT Case Number 24cr217-WQH

Brenda Lara* Age: 32 Los Angeles, CA

Romulada Contreras* Age: 75 Mexicali, MX

SUMMARY OF CHARGES

Conspiracy to Commit Bulk Cash Smuggling - Title 18, U.S.C., Section 371

Maximum penalty: Five years in prison and a $250,000 fine

Bulk Cash Smuggling - Title 31, U.S.C., Section 5332(a) and (b)

Maximum penalty: Five years in prison and a $250,000 fine

*Fugitives

INVESTIGATING AGENCIES

Homeland Security Investigations, Calexico Office

United States Border Patrol, El Centro Sector Intelligence Unit

Customs and Border Protection, Calexico Intelligence Division

Imperial County Narcotics Task Force

Drug Enforcement Administration, Imperial County Office

United States Postal Inspectors

Federal Bureau of Investigations, Imperial County Office

United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Enforcement and Removal Operations

United States Marshals Service

Calexico Police Department

Imperial County Sheriff's Office

Brawley Police Department

San Bernardino Police Department Narcotics Unit

California Highway Patrol

El Centro Police Department

The charges and allegations contained in an indictment or complaint are merely accusations, and the defendants are considered innocent unless and until proven guilty.

This case is the result of ongoing efforts by the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF), a partnership that brings together the combined expertise and unique abilities of federal, state and local law enforcement agencies. The principal mission of the OCDETF program is to identify, disrupt, dismantle and prosecute high-level members of drug trafficking, weapons trafficking and money laundering organizations and enterprises.

This operation is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) investigation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations that threaten the United States by using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks.

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Updated November 7, 2024