https://breaking911.com/fads-nab-dozens-of-drug-ring-members-around-inland-empire/
Fads Nab Dozens of Drug Ring Members Around Inland Empire
By T. Grant Benson -June 13, 2021
RIVERSIDE, CA – Law enforcement authorities Thursday arrested 12 defendants charged in a federal grand jury indictment alleging they conspired to traffic large quantities of methamphetamine from their suppliers in Mexico into and throughout the Inland Empire.
The 19-count indictment charges a total of 19 defendants with one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine, an offense that carries a mandatory minimum 10-year prison sentence and a statutory maximum penalty of life imprisonment.
During Thursday morning’s takedown, 12 of the federal defendants were arrested. Three other defendants were already in federal or state custody on unrelated charges, and federal prosecutors will seek to have them brought into federal court. Four defendants are fugitives.
According to the indictment returned on May 5and unsealed today, from April to August 2020 (April May June July August = 5 months), lead defendants Timoteo Gomez, 48, of Riverside, and Javier Rodriguez, a.k.a. “Harvey,” 54, of Riverside, purchased methamphetamine from their suppliers in Mexico as well as Los Angeles and Riverside counties. Other alleged members of the conspiracy would further distribute methamphetamine in the Inland Empire.
The indictment details the conspirators’ efforts in April 2020 to smuggle 46.6 pounds (21.2 kilograms) of methamphetamine from Mexico across the U.S port of entry at Calexico and into Riverside County. In May 2020, another co-conspirator allegedly attempted to drive a load of 90.4 pounds (41 kilograms) of methamphetamine into the United States from Mexico through the San Ysidro port of entry.
n total, law enforcement seized more than 150 pounds (68 kilograms) of methamphetamine and $31,035 in cash during this investigation.
The indictment also charges some of the defendants with conspiracy to import methamphetamine, possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, possession with intent to distribute fentanyl, being a felon in possession of ammunition, and attempted international money laundering.
Two additional defendants were charged in separate indictments in March in connection with this case, bringing the number of defendants charged so far to 21. Both were arrested in April on charges of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and are currently in federal custody. One has pleaded guilty and the other is awaiting trial.