🚨 ⚡️ 🔌 OPERATION SPARKPLUG: MAJOR GANG FIREARMS & DRUG TAKEDOWN IN SAN JOAQUIN COUNTY

Federal, state and local law enforcement agencies announced the results of a months-long investigation targeting illegal firearms and narcotics trafficking connected to violent crime in San Joaquin County.

The operation, known as Operation Sparkplug, began in February 2026 and focused on members of the Varrio Mojado Sureño (VMS) gang according to a press release by the Department of Justice.

Authorities say the investigation involved undercover purchases, traffic stops and search warrants conducted by the ATF, Stockton Police, California Highway Patrol, Lodi Police, Ripon Police and San Joaquin County Sheriff’s Office.

🔫 37 FIREARMS SEIZED

During the investigation, authorities seized:

• 37 firearms

• 2 privately manufactured firearms, commonly known as ghost guns

• 3 machine-gun conversion devices

• 1 silencer

• 2 ounces of c*caine

• 1 pound of m*thamphetamine

🚔 FOUR FEDERAL ARRESTS

A Sacramento federal grand jury indicted four alleged VMS members on federal firearms-trafficking charges:

• Angelo Contreras, 24, of Lodi

• Felix Saenz, 19, of Lodi

• Luke Phillips, 25, of Lodi

• Victor Ramos-Ayala, 19, of Lodi

Authorities allege the four conspired to sell more than 37 firearms through 14 controlled purchases.

The indictment alleges additional offenses involving illegal firearms dealing, possession of firearms by convicted felons, machine-gun conversion devices and drug distributi*n.

San Joaquin County prosecutors are also pursuing separate cases arising from the investigation, including allegations involving attempted carjacking, illegal firearm possession, high-speed pursuits and other crimes.

The federal defendants were arrested and scheduled to make their initial appearances in Sacramento federal court.

Operation Sparkplug is part of the federal Project Safe Neighborhoods initiative, which coordinates federal, state and local law enforcement efforts targeting violent crime and criminal firearms activity according to the DOJ.