It is
being touted as one of the biggest drug raids in California history, but on
Thursday, January 16th, 2014 police in West Contra Costa County made
17 arrests and seized more than $17 million in narcotics, weapons and
cash.
A two
year investigation known as “Operation Crystal Lens,” started leading to
arrests in November of 2013, after a narcotics team known as West-NET was
formed. The team involved the FBI, San
Pablo Police Department and other law enforcement officials and agencies.
The
sting resulted in the seizure of more than 475 pounds of methamphetamine, 158
grams of cocaine, guns with high capacity magazines, cars, and motorcycles and
close to a million dollars in cash. The
methamphetamine had a street value of around $17 million according to Commander
Jeff Palmieri.
The
Police did not identify those who were arrested, but did say they were tied to
the Norento street drug gang. One
suspect, who has been identified as Gabriel Urtis, remains at large, police
said.
The
operation revealed that the narcotics seized in the raid were supplied by the
Mexican-based Sinaloa drug cartel. The
cartel has also been referred to as the Federation and Blood Alliance and at
times, it has been thought of as the most powerful drug trafficking network in
the world.
The
investigation also revealed the drugs and weapons trafficked and the proceeds
were laundered by different criminal street gangs. Police have not yet revealed where the raids
and investigation took place over the last few months, the only thing that was
revealed were that the raids were held over various sites located in West
Contra Costa County.
Officers
from 10 local crime agencies made up the West-NET team which is under the
supervision of the California Department of Justice task force. Other agencies included in the coordinated
efforts included the Northern California High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area,
the FBI, Contra Costa County Sherriff’s Office and Probation Department and the
Richmond, San Pablo, Pinole, Kensington and Hercules Police Departments.
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