Posted on 11/29/2020 10:49:13 AM PST by ransomnote
Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew J. Sutton (619) 546-8941
NEWS RELEASE SUMMARY - November 24, 2020
SAN DIEGO – Three Mexican nationals suspected of trafficking huge quantities of illicit drugs for the Sinaloa Cartel were charged in federal court today in connection with what is believed to be the largest single seizure of cash, narcotics and ammunition in this district.
Jesus Burgos Arias, Juan Alatorre Venegas, and Jose Yee Perez were arrested on November 20, 2020, as a result of a long-term joint investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration, Homeland Security Investigations, the San Diego Sheriff’s Department, San Diego Police Department, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of California, targeting associates of the Sinaloa Cartel.
In addition to the arrests, agents seized approximately $3.5 million in bulk U.S. currency, 685 kilograms of cocaine, 24 kilograms of fentanyl, and approximately 20,000 rounds of .50 caliber ammunition and hundreds of body armor vests at a truck yard in Otay Mesa.
The defendants were charged with a drug trafficking conspiracy in a complaint filed in federal court. They will be transferred from the San Diego Central Jail to federal custody and will be scheduled to make their initial appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Barbara L. Major this week.
“This historic seizure and prosecution is a clear indication of the success of our joint investigative efforts,” said U.S. Attorney Robert Brewer. “To eradicate this threat to San Diego and our partners in the Republic of Mexico, we will continue to aggressively attack the Sinaloa Cartel’s drug smuggling, money laundering, and arms smuggling operations – depriving them of their illegal merchandise, their profits, and a safe haven.” Brewer praised prosecutor Matthew J. Sutton and the federal and local agents and officers for their excellent work on this case.
“Thanks to the collaborative work with our state and federal law enforcement partners, we are able to announce this blow to the Mexican Cartels operating in San Diego,” said DEA Special Agent in Charge John W. Callery. “We are further encouraged that we were able to separate them from their dangerous .50 caliber ammunition and over $3 million in drug proceeds that they have gained through selling death here in our community and throughout the US.”
“This seizure is significant not just because of its size, but because it demonstrates the direct correlation between narcotics, illicit money, and guns that drives violence in our communities and destroys lives,” said Homeland Security Investigation (HSI) Special Agent in Charge Cardell T. Morant. “HSI will continue to work with our law enforcement partners and prosecutors to aggressively pursue the Sinaloa Cartel and other transnational criminal organizations.”
“The Sheriff's Department is committed in working with our justice partners throughout the region to combat the dangerous drugs and violence associated with narcotic trafficking,” said San Diego County Sheriff Bill Gore. “Sheriff's deputies see the destruction and damage that illegal drugs cause every day. We are proud of what this case has accomplished, and the continued work being done to hold these criminals accountable.”
This case is part of a five-year investigation led by the Southern District of California, that, in total, has resulted in charges against over 125 people and has had a significant impact on the worldwide operations of the Sinaloa Cartel. This investigation has also offered one of the most comprehensive views to date of the inner workings of one of the world’s most prolific, violent and powerful drug cartels. Cartel members and associates were targeted in this massive investigation involving multiple countries, numerous law enforcement agencies around the United States, a number of federal districts and over 250 court-authorized wiretaps in this district alone.
The investigation first began in late 2011 as an investigation of what was at first believed to be a small-scale drug distribution cell in National City and Chula Vista. It became evident that the drugs were being supplied by the Sinaloa Cartel, and the case evolved into a massive multi-national, multi-state probe that resulted in scores of arrests and seizures of 1,397 kilograms of methamphetamine, 2,214 kilograms of cocaine, 17.2 tons of marijuana, 95.84 kilograms of heroin, and $27,892,706 in narcotics proceeds.
This prosecution is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) investigation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations that threaten the United States by using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks.
The United States is represented in court by Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew J. Sutton.
The public is reminded that a complaint is not evidence of guilt. The defendants are presumed innocent and entitled to a fair trial at which the government has the burden of proving guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
Defendant Information
Defendant Criminal Case No: 20-mj-5099-BLM
Defendant Number | Name | Age | Hometown |
1 | Jesus Burgos Arias | 32 | Chula Vista, California |
2 | Juan Alatorre Venegas | 44 | Tijuana, Mexico |
3 | Jose Yee Perez | 54 | Tijuana, Mexico |
Summary Of Charges
Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Distribute a Controlled Substance, in violation of Title 21 U.S.C. §§ 841(a)(1) and 846. Term of custody including a mandatory minimum 10 years and up to life imprisonment, $10 million fine.
AGENCIES
Drug Enforcement Administration
Homeland Security Investigations
San Diego County Sheriff’s Department
San Diego Police Department
Border Crime Suppression Team
San Diego County District Attorney’s Office
Customs and Border Protection, Office of Field Operations
Customs and Border Protection, Office of Border Patrol
United States Marshals Service
Internal Revenue Service - Criminal Investigation
Department of Justice, Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces
Department of Justice, Office of Enforcement Operations
Department of Justice, Office of International Affairs
Now, imagine this same situation with open borders, no border patrol, defunded police agencies, and reduced effectiveness of DOJ.
This will be the future of the USA under Biden .
They want the cash. The confiscation of the ammo gives them warm fuzzies.
That’s of course first thing came to my mind.
Sounds like a typical Vegas weekend setup for Hunter Biden.
LOL! I was just going to ask what they found on Buckwheat Mesa. So, what value did they assign to the .50 cal ammo?
hang them
Least expensive I found at ammoseek was $2.79/rd so about $558,000 just in 50. Good stuff would easily run over a mil.
My default position on most of these cases like this, is that the Cartel thought they could get away without PAYING the Protection Money to their Official Handlers in the CIA that helped them Create and run their Business.
Does BUCKWHEAT live there??
My default position on most of these cases like this, is that the Cartel thought they could get away without PAYING the Protection Money to their Official Handlers in the CIA that helped them Create and run their Business.
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Good position. I think President Trump has hamstrung many channels of drug/human trafficking profits among our enemies and they are now scraping for resources, climbing over each other to save themselves.
if Trump doesn’t win, I could care less about drug trafficing
....except if the drug deluge comes, I hope it lands on all the rats and their families....I won’t participate..
agree
Sounds like what Obama was sending to Iran.
if Trump doesn’t win, I could care less about drug trafficing
....except if the drug deluge comes, I hope it lands on all the rats and their families....I won’t participate..
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When Trump is declared the winner, I believe the Deep State will use it’s militias (gangs like these) nation wide to creat absolute mayhem. Glad they are arresting them. They arrested 700 gang members based in central america but operating in the US. Need to hack away the roots of “enforcers’ and gangs.
“Buckwheat Mesa”
I’ve often thought that, but it’s the first time I’ve heard or read it.
You slipped a decimal place, there.
“Least expensive I found at ammoseek was $2.79/rd so about $558,000 just in 50. Good stuff would easily run over a mil.”
They could have been talking about 20k Hornady 50 cal lead balls, which would cost about $2,400. But, you’re probably right. They’re talking 50 BMG. /s
If they were lead balls, imagine the histrionics from the envirowackos.
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