Feds end 5-month crack down on Meth distribution hub with more than 20 arrests
A Federal crackdown on organized criminal activity began on Jan 30th with the arrest of 20 suspects who were thought to have been involved in drugs, weapons and other gang related criminal activity. Federal and local authorities entered the Kinto Sol Tattoo shop located at 505 South 10th Street, Suite 204 in San Jose, near the San Jose State University campus. Guns, drugs and knives were recovered at the scene.
According to the FBI’s Peter Lee, the FBI, the Drug Enforcement Agency, the Department of Homeland Security, California Highway Patrol and the San Jose, Milpitas, Mountain View, Morgan Hill, Sunnyvale and Santa Clara police departments all participated in the raids in which more than 14 search warrants were served and 20 arrests were reported.
More than tattooing was going on at the business according to authorities. (Facebook)
These arrests come on the heels of arrests that brought felony drug charges against three individuals who were thought to have been involved in the distribution of the drugs found during the bust. The latest bust came just months after ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) and HSI (Homeland security Investigations) recovered more than 18 pounds of Methamphetamine from three individuals thought to be involved in the distribution of the drugs found at the business.
A felony indictment charging the trio with possession and conspiracy to distribute 500 grams or more of a mixture with detectable amounts of methamphetamine, under 21 U.S.C. 841(a)(1), and 841(b)(1)(A)(viii) was handed down on Dec 11, 2013, case CR13 00798 RMW.
Kinto Sol is located upstairs in the building
Macario Jimenez-Corona, Francisco Ortiz, and Arturo Cuevas-Quezadaz where each charged with conspiracy to distribute Methamphetamine throughout the San Jose and Santa Clara County region.
Special Agents with ICE and HSI reviewed the evidence and conducted wiretaps and other surveillance. It was found that Arturo Quezados-Cuevas was delivering more than 18-pounds of methamphetamine on behalf of a Mexican Drug Cartel. Co-conspirators Macario Jimenez-Corona (aka “La Polla”) and Artemio Ortiz (aka Jitomate) made deliveries from a residence located at 13805 Center Avenue in San Martin. A hidden compartment was used to store the drugs in the floor board of the vehicle was used to deliver the drugs.
The Kinto Sol business sign can be hard to read from a distance.
After a three month investigation, a warrant was executed at 17360 Lakeview Drive in Morgan Hill, 13805 Center Avenue in San Martin, 701 Kings Row, Apt 41D and 2122 McKee Road in San Jose. During the warrant check on December 2, 2013, ICE Agents seized more than $195,605.00 in cash from the four homes and individual suspects arrested.
Read More:
CBS SF Bay Area: Raid On San Jose Tattoo Parlor Nets More Than A Dozen Drug Arrests
KTVU: FBI San Jose raids net 20 arrests, meth and weapons
Photos: Google Maps, Facebook, Amy Nilson, Amy Nilson
