California Drug Bust Had Connections to Cartel

After a yearlong investigation using wiretaps, undercover police informants, and purchases of automatic weapons, federal authorities facilitated raids in Merced, Stanislaus and San Joaquin counties in California.  The large scale drug trafficking operation was found to have ties to the Sinaloa drug cartel in Mexico.

The raids were conducted in locations throughout the Valley early on Wednesday, January 29^th, 2014, and it resulted in eleven people being arrested and the police seized weapons, marijuana and methamphetamine.  According to a search warrant unsealed Wednesday in U.S. District County, the investigation focused around adjoining horse ranches on Almond Avenue in Patterson which were owned by Augustin Ramirez.

According to U.S. Justice Department spokeswoman, Lauren Horwood, “Evidence uncovered during the investigation indicates the ring used sophisticated methods to conceal and smuggle the contraband, including commercial trucks with hollowed out drive shafts and vehicles equipped with hidden compartments.”

Federal investigators stated the drug ring has ties to the Mexican cartel which is headed by Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzman.  Two horse ranches in Stanislaus County were among those searched and during the investigation, police found five indoor marijuana growing operations, nearly 60 pounds of processed marijuana, meth and more than $20,000 in cash.  Officials believed the organization was growing marijuana and distributing methamphetamine.

In total, police authorities seized about 90 pounds of methamphetamine, three firearms and an undisclosed amount of cash.  According to the United States Immigrationand Customs Enforcement I.C.E., at least 6 of the 11 people who were arrested in the raids faced federal drug trafficking and weapons charges, including suspected ring leader, Francisco “Paco” Felix.

At the current time, at least four other people are still being sought in connection with the raids.

Investigators started buying methamphetamine, cocaine and marijuana from suspects including Francisco Felix and Martinez.   The investigation into the drug ring was first launched in January of 2013 and court documents outline a long history of purchases of marijuana and methamphetamine and later illegal weapons.

On September 19^th, 2013, Francisco Felix reportedly told a person working with investigators that he could get at least 200 pounds of methamphetamine which had been cooked and stored in Culiacan.  Felix reportedly bragged about the shipment stating it had “never been stepped on,” meaning it was pure.

Authorities searched six different locations in Patterson, three in Ceres, two in Tracy and Newman and one in each Stevinson, Modesto, Stockton, Turlock and Mountain House, according to court affidavits.  Around 25 sheriffs’ deputies and other law enforcement officials from Merced County participated in the early-morning raids.  Authorities in Merced and Stanislaus counties referred questions about the raid to state and federal agencies.

It is not clear Wednesday if any of the arrests were made in Merced County and police are pleased with the outcome and the amount of narcotics, weapons and cash that were seized.