Skip to main content

Investigators seize multiple weapons in bust of Bay Area heroin trafficking ring

SAN JOSE, Calif. — Twelve suspects were taken into custody Tuesday in the culmination of a long-term probe targeting a Bay Area-based heroin trafficking ring by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and the California Department of Justice-led South Bay Metro Task Force.

In addition to the arrests, state and federal investigators seized nine guns and small amounts of marijuana and methamphetamine during Tuesday's enforcement action.

The execution of the search and arrest warrants is the latest development in a 2 ½ year investigation dubbed "Operation Middle Man" because the initial targets identified in the case were found to be mid-level operatives in the overall scheme. These individuals ultimately led authorities to Carlos Jose Moreno, the alleged head of a transnational criminal organization involved in the distribution of heroin and methamphetamine in the communities of San Jose, East Palo Alto, Palo Alto and Redwood City. Investigators suspect the ring is made up of NorteƱo gang members with ties to Mexico.

"Transnational gangs have become a top public safety threat as they increasingly traffic guns, drugs and human beings into California," said Attorney General Kamala D. Harris. "I commend the members of the South Bay Metro Task Force and Homeland Security Investigations for their work in identifying and arresting these gang-affiliated suspects."

Operation Middle Man, which began in December 2009, was initiated to disrupt and dismantle the Santa Clara County-based drug trafficking organization and to arrest and prosecute its members. HSI and the South Bay Metro Task Force received substantial assistance with the case from the Santa Clara District Attorney's Office and the San Mateo County Narcotics Task Force.

"By combining our resources, authorities and expertise, we've succeeded in dismantling a drug ring suspected of funneling significant quantities of heroin into the Bay Area and onto our streets," said Clark Settles, special agent in charge for HSI San Francisco. "This case shows yet again why federal and state collaboration is crucial to promoting public safety and protecting the welfare of our communities."

Utilizing undercover and other investigative techniques, officers purchased more than three pounds of heroin during the course of the investigation. The probe revealed the ring, which obtained narcotics from both international and domestic sources, redistributed the drugs throughout California and the United States. The heroin was imported from Mexico, while the crystal methamphetamine was manufactured in California's Central Valley.

"This multi-jurisdictional investigation is one example of our successful efforts to dismantle violent drug trafficking organizations that threaten our community," said Santa Clara County District Attorney Jeffrey F. Rosen.

During Tuesday's operation, officers served 12 state arrest warrants and six state search warrants in the communities of East Palo Alto, Hayward and Oakland.

Those arrested during Tuesday's operation will be booked into the Santa Clara County Jail. They face state charges ranging from conspiracy, residential burglary, firearms sales, sale of methamphetamine and heroin, and gang enhancements. They are:

Carlos Moreno, 28, of Palo Alto;
Jose Izabel Moreno, 26, of Palo Alto;
Pearl Moreno, 27, of Palo Alto;
Johnny Chavez, 21, of Palo Alto;
Pedro Chavez Chavez, 36, of Mexico;
Jose Arreguin, 21, of Palo Alto;
Daniel Macias, 23, of Mexico;
Jose Macias, 25, of Palo Alto;
Elizabeth Kovac, 23, of Palo Alto;
Joventino Lopez-Ortiz, 18, of Palo Alto;
Victor Hernandez, 23, of Palo Alto; and
Edgar Enrique Bustos, 18, of Palo Alto.

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

15 Gang Members Convicted on Conspiracy, Weapons Possession, Firearms Trafficking Charges Case Follows Recent Convictions of 137th Street Crew and East Harlem Narcotics Trafficking Organization

Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus R. Vance, Jr., announced the results of the investigation and prosecution of one of Central Harlem’s most destructive criminal street gangs, referred to as “ONE TWENTY-NINE” or “GOODFELLAS/THE NEW DONS,” which terrorized the neighborhood surrounding West 129th Street between Lenox and Fifth Avenues. Thirteen members of the gang have previously pleaded guilty to importing, possessing, and using firearms over the course of the conspiracy.

Mortgage Fraud

Manhattan District Attorney Robert M. Morgenthau announced today the indictment of 13 individuals and a mortgage origination company for perpetrating over $100 million in mortgage fraud over a four-year period in the New York City metropolitan area. In addition, 12 individuals have already waived indictment and pleaded guilty to felonies relating to their participation in the mortgage fraud scheme. The indictment charges 13 individuals and the mortgage company, AFG FINANCIAL GROUP, INC., with enterprise corruption, grand larceny, scheme to defraud and conspiracy involving 19 fraudulent mortgage transactions. The defendants include the principals and a number of employees of the mortgage company, as well as bank employees, appraisers, and three attorneys. Two other attorneys are among the defendants who already pleaded guilty. The crimes charged in the indictment occurred between June 2004 and April 2009 with the bulk of the fraudulent closings occurring from mid-2005 through the end of...

DISTRICT ATTORNEY VANCE ANNOUNCES INDICTMENT OF SIX SUBCONTRACTING COMPANIES AND THEIR OWNERS IN MULTIMILLION-DOLLAR FRAUD

Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus R. Vance, Jr., today announced the indictments of six subcontracting companies and their owners for colluding with LEHR CONSTRUCTION CORPORATION (LEHR) in a multimillion dollar scheme that defrauded numerous construction clients over the past decade. See, related story. The announcement comes one day after DA Vance announced LEHR and four executives were indicted on crimes including Enterprise Corruption, the New York State Racketeering law. GODSELL CONSTRUCTION CORPORATION and its owner ARTHUR GODSELL are charged with Grand Larceny in the Second Degree. JT ROSELLE LIGHTING, INC. and its owner JAMES ROSELLE, LIBERTY CONTRACTING CORPORATION and its owners GEORGE FOTIADIS and KEVIN FOTIADIS, PJ MECHANICAL and its owner JAMES PAPPAS, SUPERIOR ACOUSTICS, INC. and its owner KENNETH MCGUIGAN, and SWEENEY & HARKIN CARPENTRY and its owner MICHAEL HAYES are charged with Grand Larceny in the Third Degree.[1] "The defendants in this case cheated clie...