"Socalj" for Borderland Beat
In a coordinated operation in California, Arizona, Iowa, and Colorado, 12 alleged members of the [Beltran Leyva Cartel cell] of Fausto Isidro Meza Flores, "El Chapo Isidro," were arrested. Six search warrants were executed in Imperial County, and the search continues for 10 more fugitives, some in Mexico.
The 22 alleged members of the transnational drug trafficking organization were indicted by a federal grand jury on charges of importing and distributing more than a ton of methamphetamine, fentanyl, and cocaine into the United States, laundering illicit proceeds, and attempting to export firearms from the United States to Mexico.
More than 1,000 kilograms of drugs, including methamphetamine, cocaine, and more than 750 kilograms of fentanyl, 10 firearms, and more than $250,000 in narcotics proceeds had been seized.
“Today’s law enforcement action marks the culmination of a complex, long-term HSI investigation, demonstrating the strong collaboration between federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies across the country,” said Shawn Gibson.According to search warrants, the defendants belonged to a Mexicali, Mexico and Imperial County based transnational criminal organization that operated as a distribution cell for the Beltrán Leyva Cartel, specifically associated with Fausto Isidro Meza Flores "El Chapo Isidro."
Using undercover operations and multiple rounds of wiretaps, agents conducted numerous controlled purchases, traffic stops of personal vehicles and tractor trailers, and searches of houses and stash locations leading to large seizures of narcotics.
“We have literally seized a ton of drugs that were destined to hit our streets and harm our community,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Andrew Haden. “By disrupting this prolific, cartel-linked trafficking network, we are preventing the devastation and violence it brings.”
In a coordinated takedown in California, Arizona, Iowa, and Colorado, more than 150 federal, state, and local law enforcement officials arrested 10 defendants and executed six search warrants in Imperial County.
Some of those arrested from Mexicali were Irving Alberto López Valdés and Raúl Salomé Valdez-Orduno, 36 and 46 years old, respectively and Juan Damián Lizárraga Sánchez. Brandon Garcia, Roberto Marrufo, and Ricardo Miramontes Nava of Calexico were captured. Elizabeth Millan of San Diego was also arrested and 10 defendants remain fugitives.
According to court records, five of the defendants are also linked to smuggling activities, having previously been arrested and/or prosecuted for immigration-related offenses, including smuggling, aiding and abetting illegal entry, and selling or offering a visa.
Law enforcement officials located 8 duffel bags containing approximately 148 kilograms of fentanyl in the trailer of the truck.
Shortly thereafter, on May 25, 2023, authorities seized approximately 480,000 fentanyl pills, 72.29 kilograms of methamphetamine, and a loaded 9mm handgun with a 10-round magazine inserted and a round in the chamber.
Federal agents also seized firearms and ammunition during the investigation, including two gold plated AR-15 semi-automatic rifles hidden inside a 55-gallon barbeque grill on August 3, 2023. Two rifles, two pistols, approximately 2,000 ammunition rounds, and 7 magazines destined for Mexicali-based drug traffickers was also seized.
Investigators believe that the sub distributor was lured from the United States to Mexico and shot by a co-conspirator in relation to their drug trafficking and money laundering activities.
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In a coordinated operation in California, Arizona, Iowa, and Colorado, 12 alleged members of the [Beltran Leyva Cartel cell] of Fausto Isidro Meza Flores, "El Chapo Isidro," were arrested. Six search warrants were executed in Imperial County, and the search continues for 10 more fugitives, some in Mexico.
The 22 alleged members of the transnational drug trafficking organization were indicted by a federal grand jury on charges of importing and distributing more than a ton of methamphetamine, fentanyl, and cocaine into the United States, laundering illicit proceeds, and attempting to export firearms from the United States to Mexico.
More than 1,000 kilograms of drugs, including methamphetamine, cocaine, and more than 750 kilograms of fentanyl, 10 firearms, and more than $250,000 in narcotics proceeds had been seized.
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| Fausto Isidro Meza Flores "El Chapo Isidro" |
Undercover Work & Wiretaps
Through undercover operations and multiple wiretaps, agents conducted numerous controlled buys and stopped private vehicles and trailers.“Today’s law enforcement action marks the culmination of a complex, long-term HSI investigation, demonstrating the strong collaboration between federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies across the country,” said Shawn Gibson.According to search warrants, the defendants belonged to a Mexicali, Mexico and Imperial County based transnational criminal organization that operated as a distribution cell for the Beltrán Leyva Cartel, specifically associated with Fausto Isidro Meza Flores "El Chapo Isidro."
Using undercover operations and multiple rounds of wiretaps, agents conducted numerous controlled purchases, traffic stops of personal vehicles and tractor trailers, and searches of houses and stash locations leading to large seizures of narcotics.
“We have literally seized a ton of drugs that were destined to hit our streets and harm our community,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Andrew Haden. “By disrupting this prolific, cartel-linked trafficking network, we are preventing the devastation and violence it brings.”
In a coordinated takedown in California, Arizona, Iowa, and Colorado, more than 150 federal, state, and local law enforcement officials arrested 10 defendants and executed six search warrants in Imperial County.
Some of those arrested from Mexicali were Irving Alberto López Valdés and Raúl Salomé Valdez-Orduno, 36 and 46 years old, respectively and Juan Damián Lizárraga Sánchez. Brandon Garcia, Roberto Marrufo, and Ricardo Miramontes Nava of Calexico were captured. Elizabeth Millan of San Diego was also arrested and 10 defendants remain fugitives.
According to court records, five of the defendants are also linked to smuggling activities, having previously been arrested and/or prosecuted for immigration-related offenses, including smuggling, aiding and abetting illegal entry, and selling or offering a visa.
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Semi-Truck Drug Seizures
In one instance on January 23, 2023, authorities seized approximately 1.4 million fentanyl pills after intercepting phone conversations about moving fentanyl pills in a semi-truck. Federal agents watched the transaction from afar, then conducted a traffic stop on the drug-laden tractor-trailer.Law enforcement officials located 8 duffel bags containing approximately 148 kilograms of fentanyl in the trailer of the truck.
In another instance, on May 9, 2023, authorities seized approximately 483,000 fentanyl pills after intercepting phone conversations about moving narcotics in a semi-truck. Law enforcement conducted a traffic stop on the drug-laden tractor-trailer and located bags containing approximately 48 kilograms of fentanyl pills in the truck.
Shortly thereafter, on May 25, 2023, authorities seized approximately 480,000 fentanyl pills, 72.29 kilograms of methamphetamine, and a loaded 9mm handgun with a 10-round magazine inserted and a round in the chamber.
After intercepting phone conversations about coordinating the movement of narcotics in a semi-truck, federal agents surveilled the narcotics being loaded into the tractor-trailer, then conducted a traffic stop. Law enforcement officials located 6 duffel bags containing approximately 72 kilograms of methamphetamine and 48 kilograms of fentanyl in the trailer of the truck.
In another instance, on October 9, 2023, investigators seized approximately 139,000 fentanyl pills and 36 kilograms of methamphetamine following federal agents’ surveillance of defendants unloading and transporting the narcotics.
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On March 14, 2024, after a traffic stop conducted by a Brawley police officer, law enforcement seized approximately 59 kilograms of methamphetamine.
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Federal agents also seized firearms and ammunition during the investigation, including two gold plated AR-15 semi-automatic rifles hidden inside a 55-gallon barbeque grill on August 3, 2023. Two rifles, two pistols, approximately 2,000 ammunition rounds, and 7 magazines destined for Mexicali-based drug traffickers was also seized.
Cross Border Killing
During the fourth round of wiretaps, one of the wiretap targets, an Imperial County-based narcotics sub distributor, was shot multiple times in Mexicali and died several months later.Investigators believe that the sub distributor was lured from the United States to Mexico and shot by a co-conspirator in relation to their drug trafficking and money laundering activities.