Task Force Makes Arrest in Alleged Sinaloa Carrel Operation in Northern California

Per San Joaquin County Sheriff:

“San Joaquin County METRO Narcotics Task Force/SHINE- HIDTA Yields Major Drug and Weapons Seizures

Since April 2023, the Stockton High Intensity Narcotics Enforcement (HIDTA) team, in collaboration with the San Joaquin County Sheriff’s Office, Stockton Police Department, Tracy Police Department, DEA, HSI, and ATF, has conducted a thorough investigation into Sinaloa Cartel members responsible for large-scale methamphetamine, fentanyl, and firearms trafficking in the Central Valley and beyond.
From November 4-13, 2024, 19 federal search warrants were executed across San Joaquin, Santa Cruz, Santa Clara, Stanislaus, and Merced counties. The operation, involving SWAT teams from the cities of Stockton and Manteca as well as the San Joaquin County Sheriff’s Office, led to 13 arrests on federal and state charges.

Key Seizures Include:

•110 pounds of crystal methamphetamine
•120,000 fentanyl pills
•2 kilograms of cocaine
•1/4 pound of heroin
•Approximately $4 million in concentrated THC products
•Roughly $450,000 in cash
•141 firearms (including machine gun conversions, ARs, pistols, rifles, and .50 caliber weapons)
•High-capacity magazines and a suppressor

The investigation also led to the dismantling of a machine gun manufacturing lab and a methamphetamine conversion lab, making it a major step in disrupting cartel operations in California. We would like to thank all agencies involved for their assistance and helping to make San Joaquin County a safer place to live.”