48 Arrested in Imperial Valley Drug Bust Linked to Sinaloa Cartel
In a sweeping crackdown on organized crime, 48 individuals have been charged in connection with an Imperial Valley-based drug trafficking network tied to the Sinaloa Cartel, federal prosecutors announced Thursday. This extensive operation disrupted the distribution of methamphetamine, fentanyl, cocaine, and heroin across several states, including California, Arizona, and Nevada.
The takedown, executed in the early hours of November 7 2024, involved more than 140 federal, state, and local law enforcement officials. The operation resulted in 25 arrests, with 15 search warrants served across Imperial County, San Diego, Los Angeles, Stockton, Yuma, Arizona, and Las Vegas, Nevada. As of Thursday afternoon, 23 suspects remain fugitives.
Massive Drug and Cash Seizures
Authorities revealed that the investigation, which involved undercover operations and wiretaps, has already resulted in the seizure of over 8,000 pounds of methamphetamine, along with significant quantities of fentanyl, cocaine, and heroin. One firearm was also confiscated during the operation.
One notable seizure occurred on April 27, 2022, when agents intercepted phone conversations that led to the discovery of 256 pounds of methamphetamine in a tractor-trailer during a traffic stop.
“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 disrupting a major drug trafficking network and taking steps to protect our community from devastation.”
Ties to Sinaloa Cartel and ‘Los Rusos’
Court documents allege the defendants were part of a drug trafficking organization based in Imperial Valley and Mexicali, Mexico, linked to Los Rusos, a violent faction of the Sinaloa Cartel.
“This operation underscores the pivotal role collaboration among federal, state, and local law enforcement plays in safeguarding our communities,” said Roque Caza, Area Port Director for the Calexico Port of Entry.
Defendants and Charges
The indictments charge defendants with crimes including conspiracy to distribute controlled substances, drug trafficking, and bulk cash smuggling. Convictions could lead to life imprisonment and fines up to $10 million.
Among the arrested were several Imperial Valley residents, including Juan Carlos Ojeda-Saldana and Jose David Morales-Rodriguez of Brawley, and Jaime Mayoral of El Centro. Many other suspects, including alleged ringleaders, remain at large.
Collaborative Efforts to Dismantle Cartel Networks
The operation is part of the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF), a multi-agency initiative aimed at dismantling transnational criminal organizations. Agencies involved include Homeland Security Investigations, U.S. Border Patrol, Imperial County Narcotics Task Force, and the Brawley Police Department.
“This success is a testament to our commitment to dismantling criminal organizations that threaten our communities,” said El Centro Sector Border Patrol Chief Gregory Bovino.
While the defendants are considered innocent until proven guilty, this takedown marks a significant effort to curb the flow of dangerous drugs in Imperial Valley and beyond.
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.
This article is based on information provided by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of California.