A coordinated law enforcement operation targeting a major drug trafficking network linked to the Sinaloa Cartel has resulted in charges against 48 individuals, including several from the Imperial Valley and Mexicali, the United States Attorney’s Office, Southern District of California announced on Wednesday.
The defendants, accused of distributing methamphetamine, fentanyl, cocaine, heroin, and smuggling bulk cash, were arrested across multiple locations in Imperial County, California, as well as in San Diego, Los Angeles, Stockton, Yuma, Arizona, and Las Vegas, Nevada.
In an early morning sweep, more than 140 federal, state, and local law enforcement officers arrested 25 defendants and executed 15 search warrants. The investigation, which spans multiple states and international borders, continues as 23 fugitives are still being sought.
“This indictment represents a significant blow to traffickers responsible for flooding our communities with deadly drugs,” said U.S. Attorney Tara McGrath. “By taking action against 48 individuals today, we are not only disrupting a major drug trafficking network but also taking vital steps to protect the public from the harm caused by these dangerous substances.”
The drug trafficking organization, based in the Imperial Valley and Mexicali, Mexico, is allegedly linked to “Los Rusos,” a violent faction within the Sinaloa Cartel.
Authorities said the group was responsible for smuggling large quantities of methamphetamine and other drugs into the U.S., with some shipments hidden in tractor trailers and personal vehicles.
The investigation, which included undercover operations, wiretaps, and controlled drug buys, has already resulted in the seizure of more than 3,600 kilograms (roughly 8,000 pounds) of methamphetamine, along with substantial quantities of fentanyl, heroin, and cocaine.
In one key bust, agents intercepted a shipment of 256 pounds of methamphetamine on April 27, 2022, after monitoring phone conversations between traffickers.
“This is another critical operation in our ongoing fight against the Sinaloa Cartel’s influence in our communities,” said Shawn Gibson, special agent in charge of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) San Diego. “By working together with our law enforcement partners, we can disrupt and dismantle these criminal organizations, preventing them from causing further harm.”
Along with drug trafficking charges, many of the defendants are facing charges related to bulk cash smuggling, as authorities allege the group was involved in transporting illicit proceeds back into Mexico.
“The successful takedown underscores the importance of collaboration among federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies,” said Roque Caza, Area Port Director for U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) at the Calexico Port of Entry. “This joint effort is a direct response to the devastating impact these drugs have on public health and safety.”
El Centro Sector Border Patrol Chief Gregory Bovino emphasized that local law enforcement is committed to curbing the influence of the Sinaloa Cartel in the Imperial Valley. “With the seamless coordination between agencies, we are preventing these traffickers from harming our community,” he said.
The investigation, which is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Sean Van Demark and Owen Roth, is part of the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF), a multi-agency initiative aimed at dismantling high-level drug trafficking organizations.
Defendants from Imperial County:
Among those charged, 18 defendants are from cities within Imperial County, including El Centro, Brawley, Calexico, and Calipatria. The following individuals are listed as facing charges:
El Centro: 10 defendants, including Adrian Garcia (28), Ricardo Ruben Pinzon (24), and Jaime Mayoral (40), Jose Ramon Ochoa-Monteverde (31), Marcos Arturo-Barrera (28), Gerardo Medina Plancenia (45), Jose Andres Leyva (55), Angelica Guerrero (29), Maribel Garcia Barajas (56), Jose Arturo Mendiola Porras (57).
Brawley: 2 defendants, including Juan Carlos Ojeda-Saldana (35) and Jose David Morales-Rodriguez (46).
Calexico: 5 defendants, including Yeiming Hernandez (34), Frank Gustavo Zendejas (56), and three others also listed in El Centro.
Calipatria: 1 defendant, Frank Gustavo Zendejas (56).
Defendants are charged with various crimes, including drug trafficking, conspiracy to distribute controlled substances, and bulk cash smuggling. The penalties could include life in prison, with mandatory minimum sentences for many of the charges. A full list of the defendants and their charges is available through the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
Agencies that took part in the investigation include Homeland Security Investigations, U.S. Border Patrol, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Imperial County Narcotics Task Force, Drug Enforcement Administration, Federal Bureau of Investigation, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, U.S. Marshals Service, and local law enforcement agencies from El Centro, Brawley, Calexico, San Bernardino, and others.
