In San Diego, four indictments were revealed in a federal court, charging 16 individuals with distributing significant amounts of methamphetamine, fentanyl, and heroin, as well as laundering drug-related proceeds. A coordinated operation led to the arrest of 10 defendants and the execution of three search warrants in various San Diego neighborhoods. Six suspects remain at large.
During the operation and investigation, authorities seized substantial quantities of illegal substances, including fentanyl, methamphetamine, cocaine, heroin, ketamine, and MDMA. Additional seizures included over $40,000 in cash, a luxury vehicle, and multiple firearms.
U.S. Attorney Adam Gordon commented on the operation, stating, "Together with our law enforcement partners, this office will disrupt and dismantle criminal organizations throughout the district." DEA Special Agent in Charge Brian Clark noted, "This extensive drug trafficking investigation exposed a criminal network that peddled poison from coast to coast."
Special Agent in Charge Tyler Hatcher from the IRS Criminal Investigation emphasized, "These indictments should send a clear signal to drug trafficking organizations that where there’s money, there’s a trail, and IRS-CI is the best in the world at finding and following those trails."
The current charges stem from a 16-month investigation involving wiretaps and undercover agents. According to the indictments, the defendants operated on behalf of a San Diego County-based drug trafficking organization, distributing substances nationwide. They employed shell companies to launder proceeds from out of state.
The cases are being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael A. Deshong. The investigation was conducted by a task force involving federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies, including the Drug Enforcement Administration and the IRS Criminal Investigation. Findings were part of Operation Take Back America, which aims to counter illegal immigration, dismantle cartels, and protect communities.
The High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas (HIDTA) program, overseen by the Office of National Drug Control Policy, supports law enforcement in fighting drug trafficking in critical regions, including areas associated with this investigation.