Mexican drug gang indicted for meth and using child drug mules

Jim Kouri:

Federal law enforcement officials reported the indictment of 19 suspects charged with conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and three of the suspects were also charged with carrying a firearm during and in relation to a drug trafficking crime.

Court documents also allege the suspects used multiple juveniles to sell or smuggle methamphetamine.

The indictment alleges that a group of individuals led by Jorge Arreola-Gomez distributed large amounts of methamphetamine in southern California and elsewhere. Among those charged with Arreola are two sisters, his wife, his mother, and two brothers-in-law. According to the indictment, the defendants used numerous couriers to transport drugs domestically and across the US-Mexico border.

"I cannot overstate the destructive nature of methamphetamine. We will continue to be relentless in our efforts against drug dealers who are bringing this poison into our neighborhoods," said DEA Special Agent in Charge John S. Fernandes.

Methamphetamine is a stimulant of the central nervous system that gives the user a high that's duration may last up to 12 - 20 hours. It's also led to the hospitalization of many users.

According to court documents, the investigation led to the seizure of over 140 pounds of methamphetamine, 20 pounds of pseudoephedrine (a nasal decongestant commonly used to manufacture methamphetamine), over $25,000 in currency, and one firearm.

The complaint outlines numerous seizures that resulted from the investigation, including:

*approximately 75 pounds of methamphetamine on September 15, 2005, from Salvador Becerra in Chula Vista, California;

*a loaded firearm from Manuel Omar Garcia-Cervantes on October 27, 2005, (according to court documents, the investigation determined at that time of this seizure Garcia, at Arreola's request, was en route to threaten or kidnap the wife of a drug dealer who failed to pay his outstanding debt);

*approximately 16 pounds of methamphetamine on December 10, 2005, from Teresa Osuna-Alcala at the Otay Mesa Port of Entry;

*approximately 20 pounds of pseudoephedrine on December 20, 2005, from a juvenile (court documents allege the juvenile was transporting the cold medication to Mexico so it could be manufactured into methamphetamine, then smuggled back into the United States;

*approximately 8 pounds of methamphetamine on February 12, 2006, from a juvenile at the Otay Mesa Port of Entry;

*approximately 14 pounds of methamphetamine on February 16, 2006, from Nancy Alvarez at the San Ysidro Port of Entry;

*and approximately 20 pounds of methamphetamine on March 6, 2006, from Benedicta Arreola in Chula Vista, California. United States Attorney Carol C. Lam said, "This case reflects the way methamphetamine is tied into so many threats to society -- precursor chemicals, the corruption of juveniles, and the connection between methamphetamine and firearms."

US Attorney's office stated that this investigation was supported by the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force ("OCDETF"). The OCDETF program was created to consolidate and utilize all law enforcement resources in this country's battle against major drug trafficking.

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