Nineteen in Southern California charged in meth smuggling case (including a "Mexican National")

ap on Riverside Press Enterprise ^ | 3/27/06 | AP - San Diego

[NormsRevenge]

SAN DIEGO - A Chula Vista man suspected of leading a methamphetamine trafficking ring that used juveniles to sell or smuggle the drug was in federal custody Monday after being charged in a two-count indictment, authorities said.

Jorge Arreola-Gomez was among 19 people named in the indictment unsealed Friday by the U.S. Attorney's Office alleging that the defendants used numerous couriers, many of them teenagers, to smuggle methamphetamine across the U.S.-Mexico border.

An investigation led to the seizure of more than 140 pounds of methamphetamine, more than $25,000 in cash, a firearm and 20 pounds of pseudoephedrine, a nasal decongestant authorities say is commonly used to make methamphetamine.

Among those charged were Arreola-Gomez's wife, mother, two sisters and two brothers-in-law. Most of the defendants were from Southern California, with one man identified as a Mexican national.

All 19 faced one count of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine. Arreola-Gomez and two others also were charged with carrying a firearm during a drug trafficking crime.

The penalties range from 10 years to life in prison and fines of $250,000 to $4 million.

The defendants were scheduled to appear at a detention hearing on Wednesday, said Assistant U.S. attorney Peter Ko.

[Mojave]

Jorge Arreola-Gomez could be the next LP Presidential candidate. Open borders and drugs!

[Frank_2001]

A "Mexican National"? Why isn't he in Mexico, then?/s

[jazusamo]

It was just one big happy family. Still big but now unhappy.

[mugs99]

Jorge Arreola-Gomez could be the next LP Presidential candidate. Open borders and drugs!

Not a chance...The Republicans have done an excellant job of keeping the borders open and the drugs flowing.
.

[Left2Right]

Hang 'em!

[Mojave]

Not a chance...

He would need some Soros money.

[newzjunkey]

I don't know about this particular case but sometimes "Mexican national" is more appropriate than illegal alien. Depends on how the person has come across and perhaps even their status: are they trying to live in the US illegally, for example?

I have noticed, however, in press accounts what seems to be an increase of using "Mexican national" as code for what is more accurately described as an illegal immigrant.

[opinionator]

19 people and yet you focus on one. You might have a problem.

[mugs99]

He would need some Soros money.

Soros doesn't need Libertarians. He pays his bribe money to Democrats and Republicans.
.

[Mojave]

Soros doesn't need Libertarians

Yep. They need him. They serve him.

[mugs99]

Yep. They need him. They serve him
ROFL!
Okay, lets play a little game.
George Soros contributed $50,000 to Sen. Arlen Specter (R-PA)in 2004.
Your turn. Name a Libertarian George Soros has contributed to.
.

[Lurker]

They're just smuggling the drugs, precursors, and weapons that Americans don't want to smuggle.

L

[Mojave]

Okay, lets play a little game.

Your sugar daddy keeps the pro-dope movement afloat.

[mugs99]

ROFL!
You can't even come up with one?

[Mojave]

One what? Libertarian Congressman?

Libertarianism is about promoting legalized dope, not electing people to office.

[mugs99]

One what?

LOL!
You're all show and no go. You can't even come up with one Libertarian who has taken Soros money!

Heeeeres Harry!
"Marihuana influences Negroes to look at white people in the eye, step on white men's shadows and look at a white woman twice."
.

[Mojave]

Libertarianism is about promoting legalized dope, not electing people to office. Even you can't bring yourself to contest that.

[mugs99]

Libertarianism is about defending the Constitution. That you choose to limit your view to dope only reflects your myopic point of view. Libertarianism doesn't put electing politicians ahead of educating the people of their rights. Harry Browne endorsed George Bush. Al Gore would be president today if not for the Libertarian vote...Put that in your pipe and smoke it!

"The American heritage was one of individual liberty, personal responsibility and freedom from government. Unfortunately, that heritage has been lost. Americans no longer have the freedom to direct their own lives. Today, it is the government that is "free”; free to do whatever it wants. There is no subject, no issue, no matter that is not subject to legislation."...Harry Browne
.

[Mojave]

Libertarianism is about defending the Constitution.

Libertarianism is about living in your parents' garage.