Narcotraffickers Operating From Mexicali To Imperial Valley For The CDS Captured

Mica for cartelinsider.com

On June 5, the U.S. Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) announced the arrest of 36 out of 47 alleged members of a fentanyl and methamphetamine distribution network. The charges include drug trafficking, money laundering, and firearms offenses.

Chris Davis, special agent at the San Diego HSI office, stated that the network operated from Imperial Valley, California, to Mexicali, Mexico. Araceli Rangel Torres and Carlos Valencia Mendoza, both from Mexicali, were among those arrested.

Katrina W. Berger, HSI associate executive director, highlighted the impact of this operation on disrupting the Sinaloa Cartel’s drug distribution. Tara McGrath, federal prosecutor for the Southern District of California, mentioned the arrest of Alexander Grindley, a Border Patrol agent trafficking methamphetamine during work hours. The investigation began in 2019 after a local high school football player died from fentanyl consumption.

The operation seized over 4 kilograms of fentanyl (enough for two million doses), 324 kilograms of methamphetamine, dopamine, heroin, and 52 firearms, including unserialized ones. An undercover operation also led to the seizure of 8,000 fentanyl pills.

Authorities executed 25 search warrants and made 36 arrests, with 11 suspects still at large. The investigation revealed that the 47 suspects were part of a network distributing drugs inside and outside Imperial County. Significant seizures included ghost guns and ammunition intended for the organization in Mexico.

Attorney General Merrick B. Garland stated that this dismantling dealt another blow to the Sinaloa Cartel. The operation involved around 400 agents and 24 agencies. In 2022, Imperial Valley recorded 24 opioid overdose deaths, with a mortality rate increase of 41% from 2021.

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Mica

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