The investigation initially looked into Molinero’s organization which used truck yards in California to receive large quantities of controlled substances hidden in PVC pipes that were further concealed in tractor trailer axles.
The narcotics were then transported either to other distributors in Arizona or to the Los Angeles area.
The 18 individuals arrested are among 57 defendants charged in two indictments and one criminal complaint filed in U.S. District Court. Authorities continue to search for the remaining defendants. During the course of the probe, which started in early 2011, authorities seized more than 2,400 pounds of methamphetamine, 30 kilograms of cocaine, 16 kilograms of white heroin, 20 kilograms of brown heroin, and more than $1.2 million in suspected narcotics proceeds, along with 18 firearms. Thursday’s enforcement actions resulted in the seizure of an additional seven pounds of methamphetamine, three firearms, four vehicles, approximately $50,000 in cash and an operational methamphetamine laboratory.
“As the means and methods that drug trafficking organizations use evolve, so will law enforcement evolve to meet the challenge,” said U.S. Attorney André Birotte Jr. “The allegations here describe a wide-ranging conspiracy to exploit aspects of our nation’s trucking and transportation system and funnel enormous amounts of dangerous narcotics into this country. The arrests we announce today dismantle that conspiracy and disrupt this threat to public safety.”
The criminal complaint charges 38 defendants with two counts: conspiracy to distribute controlled substances and possession with intent to distribute controlled substances.
A related indictment charged eight defendants, involved in another drug distribution ring, allegedly smuggled narcotics from Mexico into the U.S. inside PVC pipes hidden inside truck axles.
An indictment in a third case charges eight defendants in a conspiracy to distribute heroin, cocaine and methamphetamine.