Joint task force announces major arrests, indictment in heroin ring
REDLANDS – Twenty federal indictments and over a dozen arrests were made in connection with an investigation into a drug trafficking ring, announced in a joint news conference on Tuesday.
Redlands police, along with the United States Attorney’s Office for the Central District of California, the Drug Enforcement Agency and the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department announced the indictments at city hall.
Police have taken 15 people into custody since Feb. 28, said police spokesman Carl Baker, during a 10-month investigation conducted by members of a joint enforcement team. Three people were arrested since last Friday.
The team identified 20 other defendants as members of a heroin “cell,” dealing Mexican “tar” heroin into various portions of San Bernardino County. Those areas include Redlands, Highland and Yucaipa.
They were dealing, said Redlands Chief of Police Mark A. Garcia, “a half kilo of heroin a week.”
The joint enforcement team included Redlands police, San Bernardino County Sheriff’s narcotics unit and the U.S. DEA, among others.
“In today’s crackdown,” said U.S. Attorney General for the Central District of California Andre Birotte, Jr., “we have seen the best that I think law enforcement has to offer.
“Federal and local resources (were) working together to put these heroin dealers that that they were untouchable out of business.”
Garcia, Andre Birotte, Jr., and Mayor Pete Aguilar were part of Tuesday’s press conference at Redlands City Hall, announcing the arrests and indictments.
“Since this investigation began,” said Garcia, “we have served seven search warrants and confiscated three pounds of heroin.”
Baker said the investigation is continuing since additional suspects remain at large. The investigation began in June 2011 after Redlands police noticed a growing number of heroin-related arrests and overdoses as far back as 2010. Since August 2010, he said, 11 residents of Redlands and surrounding communities have died from heroin overdoses.
Investigators said the local organization is connected to drug suppliers in Mexico, each local cell operating in a pyramid-style group that uses local suppliers and street runners dealing heroin to users.
The federal indictments carry a maximum penalty of 40 years in prison for those charged without a prior drug felony. For those with prior drug felonies, the penalties could range a maximum of life imprisonment.
Birotte, who will handle the criminal prosecution, said the main intent of the task force, which includes the Department of Justice, was to “dismantle the criminal organizations.”
The individuals named in the federal indictment are: Salvador Gonzalez-Chavez, 29, Fontana; Jose Perez Hernandez, 27, San Bernardino; John James Flores, 63, Redlands; Victor Hugo Padron Mendez, 35, Rialto; Luz Maria Medina-Nieves, 29, Fontana; Jimmy Nieves, 27, Fontana; Luz Myriam Nieves-Cruz, 49, Fontana; Angela Aragonez, 45, Redlands; Peter Francisco Flores, 29, Redlands; Daniel Martinez, 57, Redlands; Steven Kelly Olalia, 37, Redlands; Fabian Jose-Maria Villanueva, 27, San Bernardino; Alvaro Medina, 20, Pomona; Mario Sandoval, 27, Pomona; Lupe Hidalgo-Martinez, 49, Fontana; Nereida Cynthia Puente, 41, Hesperia; Fernando Salazar, 42, El Centro; Roberto Gutierrez, 57, Cypress; David Reyes-Sandoval, 52, Redlands; and Irene Arvizu, 56, San Bernardino.
Read more:
KTLA, 20 indicted in Inland Empire heroin trafficing bust
The Sun, Officers announce large heroin bust in Redlands
