My guess is there have been some prosecutions (of top CJNG leaders) but (authorities) are keeping the cases more low profile, said Laura Caldern, program director for the University of San Diegos Justice in Mexico project. US Manufacturing Crashes! This could be an increasing trend, Caldern said of the targeting of top CJNG members. A locked padlock For the better part of a decade, federal prosecutions of Mexican drug cartel leaders carried out in San Diego have focused largely on the Sinaloa Cartel, and before that the Arellano Flix Organization, the two groups that have historically dominated the lucrative Tijuana-San Diego smuggling route. There was an error and we couldn't process your subscription. out The charges contained in this indictment are simply accusations, and not evidence of guilt. Millions in America Are About to Wake Up to the Mother of All DisastersInside Leaks! The .gov means its official. Bioavailable Copper Her main role in the organization was to safeguard and take care of the money aspect, Sutton said. El Mencho is CJNG leader Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, one of the most wanted drug lords in the world and the subject of a $10 million bounty from the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration. Over the past few years Southern California has seen an increase in individuals making firearms and selling them without a license, said ATF Los Angeles Field Division Special Agent in Charge Monique Villegas. Zapin was arrested in September 2016 in Playas del Rosarito in Baja California. 880 Front Street, Room 6293 DCIS will always take aggressive action with our law enforcement partners to deter and investigate any such threats to our national defense.. That has left much of the case still shrouded in mystery. KANSAS CITY, Mo. Padilla admitted to at least four separate incidents in 2014 and 2015 in which he coordinated cocaine shipments into the U.S. OPERATION SANDMAN Activated! State, local, and federal law enforcement agencies worked together in this Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces operation to bring drug traffickers to justice and protect our community from the violence and other harms that result from the flow of illegal drugs.. Alexander Michael Randise, 29, pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court last year to a fentanyl distribution charge, stemming from the December 2021 death of Tyber Joseph Lustig, U.S. District Court Judge Larry Burns ruled the 2021 law did not violate gun owners rights under the Second Amendment, Preliminary hearing of Larry Millete, who has pleaded not guilty to murdering his missing wife Maya Millete, could run two weeks or longer. Zapin admitted in his plea agreement to coordinating at least three shipments of cocaine into the U.S. in 2014. She has no desire to go to Mexico.. Our free newsletter is delivered at 8 a.m. daily. The investigation has continued to broaden with recent charges against 30 people. One of the PMFs was determined to be a machine gun and another was an AR-15-style firearm, both of which Adcock claimed he manufactured himself. What Is Going on at Davos! Combating cross-border criminal activity is a critical component of the overall safety, security and well-being of our nation. City News Service contributed to this article. 8:40 Santa does not exist, better believe it was the Sancho and demand your wife delivers the tamales he brought for you. Rodriguez Alcala was arrested by Ecuadorian authorities in November while he was visiting the capital city of Quito, according to the U.S. Attorneys Office. Prosecutors have played the case close to the vest, keeping most details out of public court records. 12.06. . USDs Caldern said the CJNG, which pioneered the trafficking of synthetic drugs such as methamphetamine and fentanyl, likes to brag, to take credit and to broadcast its violence.. Da Vaca where have you been Mencho is dead. Wuendi is accused of receiving hundreds of thousands of dollars in cash at a time from drug- and gun-trafficking and then driving it herself into Mexico, where it would be used to pay corrupt Mexican government officials and members of the organization, Sutton said. A lock ( The indictment alleges the conspiracy involved the distribution of more than 335.5 kilograms of methamphetamine, with an average street price of $300 per ounce, and more than 22.1 kilograms of heroin, with an average street price of $1,500 per ounce. An indictment unsealed last year pinned a wave of murders in Tijuana on a criminal cell known as Los Cabos, who allegedly acted as a violent enforcement arm of the CJNG as the group battled the Sinaloa Cartel for control of the Tijuana-San Diego smuggling corridor. Jorge largely ran the business from Mexico and San Diego by communicating through encrypted messaging apps such as Threema and WhatsApp, and the tens of thousands of messages, photos, voice memos and videos recovered from the devices helped propel the case forward, according to investigators. NEWS RELEASE SUMMARY - February 18, 2022. Lawsuit by man claiming he awoke during surgery at UCSD goes to trial, 15-year prison sentence for Ocean Beach man who provided pills leading to overdose death, Judge throws out suit against state law, allowing sharing of gun owner information with researchers, Millete murder case has marked difference from most homicides: no body has been found, State insurance regulators largely prevail in legal dispute over public records, Millete hearing continues with testimony from missing womans brother, Investigators ask for publics help in solving fatal hit-and-run in Moreno, Motorcyclist killed in crash with minivan in Carlsbad, 30-year-old driver, 6-year-old girl killed in SUV crash into tree in Oceanside; 4 youths injured, Police investigating shooting in Emerald Hills that injured 22-year-old woman, San Diego police arrest 13 suspects in jewelry theft ring, seek more victims, Santee YMCA closing early because of protests as teens fears over transgender policy gets national attention, Struck by EBT fraud, thousands of San Diego food-stamp and welfare recipients struggle to find food, pay bills, Drive-by shooter strikes downtown San Diego homeless shelter, The trend continues: More falling into homelessness than becoming housed in San Diego County, 500,000 gallons of raw sewage fouls San Diego Bay after broken sensor shuts down pumps, Opinion: Joe Biden took his time to talk about classified documents, Column: Torrey Pines makes PGA Tour star Jon Rahm dangerously comfortable in San Diego, La Jolla Institute immunologist wins prestigious award. At the time, he was in Mexican custody following his 2017 capture in Guadalajara. Please Help Support BeforeitsNews by trying our Natural Health Products below! Totonacapan, Veracruz: We Are The Absolute Mob For The Lord Of The Numbers! Photos of Cartel Jalisco New Generation leader Nemesio El Mencho Oseguera and methamphetamine confiscated in a local operation are displayed at a news conference at the DEA San Diego office in 2020. Prez Vargas was described in Mexican news reports as a former Sinaloa Cartel operative born in San Diego. Adcock was offering to sell unfinished handgun lowers, commonly referred to as 80% lowers. According to the affidavit, Adcock told the detective, who posed as a customer, that he had completed firearms for sale as well. All of the defendants are charged with participating in a conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and heroin from Feb. 28, 2020, to June 1, 2022. Main Office: He had been held there on charges related to a military convoy ambush in which five soldiers were killed in 2016. County Seeks Help for Disaster Assistance, SANDAGs Divided Board Off to a Rocky Year After Smaller City Walkout, Tips Sought in Morena Hit-Run on Dec. 30 That Fatally Injured Martin Romo, 61, Opinion: Three Ways that California Can Prepare for Future Atmospheric Rivers, Santee YMCA Closing Early, Fearing Rally Clashes Over Teen's Report, Trans Rights, Opinion: SunbreakRanchIs the Answer to San Diego -- and Americas -- Homeless Crisis, Opinion: Latest Chargers Loss a Reminder of Why San Diego Fans Let Them Leave, San Diego Police Shoot, Kill Man, 77, Sought in Younger Woman's Fatal Stabbing, Family of 6, Including New Baby, Dead in Drug Cartel Massacre in Central Valley, Animal Services Officers Rescue Dog Trapped in Oil Reservoir in Ramona Garage, Parcels Near Cal State San Marcos Sold for Nearly $6M in Area Slated for Redevelopment, Fundraiser for Former San Diego Police Officer Darnell Calhoun Passes $150K, Heavy Rain Runoff and Sewage Spills Close Beaches Across San Diego Area, Three More Arrests Made in Alleged Large-Scale Theft, Robbery Ring, Proudly powered by Newspack by Automattic. A few months after the brothers killing, his nephew was fatally shot in a Mexico City hotel. Please reload the page and try again. Two weeks later, Jorge was arrested at the Boston-area airport after a flight from San Diego. His attorney wrote in a brief sentencing memorandum that Lugo had been running the financial side of several businesses when, through his childrens school, he met and started doing business with several men who eventually had Mr. Lugo laundering drug money for them. The attorney wrote that it was the first time his then-44-year-old client had been in trouble with the law, and that Lugo withdrew from the illegal activity over a year before his arrest.. Have a question about Government Services? radiation by 96%! Jorge, the cells alleged boss, was under surveillance on Oct. 15, 2020, when he and an associate were seen preparing to board a private jet in Long Beach with eight suitcases, according to a complaint. He checks all my emails, messages, messengers, FB (Facebook) posts, Maya Millete texted her brother months before she disappeared, Privacy PolicyTerms of ServiceSign Up For Our Newsletters, Copyright 2023, The San Diego Union-Tribune |. But lawyers for the hospital say the medical records show he was unconscious. 12.23.2022. The group is suspected of being behind attacks this summer involving dozens of burning vehicles that essentially shut down Tijuana and several other Mexican cities over the course of several days. The prosecution of high-ranking CJNG members in San Diego federal court has appeared relatively rare, though there have been some exceptions. In 2018, the Department of Justice announced 15 indictments nationwide aimed at taking down CJNG leaders, including one case unsealed that day in the Southern District of California. In October, a fourth defendant was arrested in Texas or possibly extradited there from Mexico and then transferred last month to San Diego, where he pleaded not guilty to a trafficking count from the indictment. An official website of the United States government. On Nov. 20, 2020, agents served a search warrant there and seized a cache that was described as the largest of its kind in the Southern California border district: $3.5 million in cash, 685 kilograms of cocaine, 24 kilograms of fentanyl, about 20,000 rounds of .50-caliber ammunition, 100 rifle magazines and 427 body armor vests, according to court records. A grand jury indictment was unsealed Tuesday charging 60 alleged members of a San Diego-based methamphetamine distribution network with ties to the Sinaloa cartel with federal drug trafficking . Joe Sery is expected to be arraigned in federal court on Monday March 7, an arrest warrant has been issued for fugitive Dror Sery. pathogens and gives you more If you really want to disable all recommended stories, click on OK button. After that, you will be redirect to your options page. The U.S. Attorneys Office has kept the prosecution against Zapin, Padilla and their unnamed co-defendants mostly under wraps and did not respond to multiple requests for comment. San Diego, California 92101-8807, Telephone: (619) 557-5610 The case may be one of the first local prosecutions to target prominent members of the CJNG, one of Mexicos most ruthless cartels that has grown in influence over the last dozen or so years. And while the indictment deals with criminal conduct carried out several years ago, the prosecution reflects the CJNGs continued rise to power, both across Mexico and specifically in Baja California. mental focus and thyroid health. Not only do the groups members hang bodies from bridges, scatter severed heads in public places and leave written signs taking ownership of murders and attacks, but they also livestream deadly clashes with government forces or rival cartels. Please reload the page and try again. TTY: (619) 557-3450. They just love showcasing what they can do.. Efforts remain ongoing to apprehend the remaining defendants. Agents from the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration and Homeland Security Investigations also seized 24 cellphones during the warehouse operation, adding to the 15 that were taken off Jorge during his airport arrest. Call 1-866-DHS-2-ICE to report suspicious activityReport Crime, Learn facts about U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. SAN DIEGO - A multi-agency investigation on federal export laws targeting the former owner of a San Diego-based company that provides tungsten fragments, sub-assemblies, and other weapon grade components for United States military contracts, was unsealed following his indictment March 4. Padilla was described in Mexican media reports as one of El Menchos lieutenants. Also follow DEA Atlanta via Twitter at @DEAATLANTADiv. Enter address: This website, like most media sites, uses small files called cookies to anonymously customize the advertising that you see. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. So far , U.S. authorities haven't been as successful at getting cooperation agreements from CJNG as from CDS. Caldern said CJNG soldiers have filmed themselves driving military-style armored vehicles into towns previously controlled by rival groups and claiming them as their own. Mexican soldiers and federal agents captured El Menchos older brother, manufacturing the groups armored vehicles, he died in May 2019 under unclear circumstances, http://www.borderlandbeat.com/2022/12/san-diego-quietly-prosecuting-cjng.html, Complete Media Blackout As Migrants Take Over Streets Of El Paso, Texas! The bust netted a high-profile suspect and a stash worth several million dollars. Twenty Mexican nationals are among 39 defendants indicted by a federal grand jury for their roles in a $4.7 million conspiracy to distribute more than 335 kilograms of methamphetamine and 22 kilograms of heroin over the past two years. He is believed to be residing in Israel. And neither the government nor defense attorneys for Zapin or Padilla filed sentencing memorandums that typically spell out the details of the criminal conduct. San Diego federal judge recently sentenced two associates of Nemesio "El Mencho . The Valenzuelas have pleaded not guilty and are being held in custody without bail. This case is being investigated by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, the Ocmulgee Drug Task Force, the Baldwin County Sherriffs Office, the Laurens County Sheriffs Office, the Washington County Sheriffs Office, the Georgia Department of Corrections, the Milledgeville Community Supervision Office, the Wilkinson County Sheriffs Office, the Jones County Sheriffs Office, the Atlanta-Carolinas HIDTA Office and the Gwinnett Metro Task Force. According to a Justice in Mexico report, since about 2012 hes been the top leader of the cartel that years earlier broke away from the Sinaloa Cartel of Joaqun El Chapo Guzmn and Ismael El Mayo Zambada. The bravado helps them rule by fear and intimidation. Padilla was described in Mexican media reports as one of El Menchos lieutenants. Federal Office Building Lamont Jackson, 47, of Milledgeville, is charged with one count conspiracy to distribute controlled substances. A locked padlock Sicarios shoot at U.S. drone. A federal grand jury handed down that indictment around the same time the CJNG was expanding into Baja California, fueling a wave of violence and murders. An official website of the United States government. Both men admitted the shipments of cocaine they coordinated totaled more than 330 pounds but less than 990 pounds. The Afternoon That Burned Tecomn, Colima, Elements Of The National Guard Secure An Arsenal In Zacoalco De Torres, Jalisco, Judge To Rule On 'Mayito Gordo's' Injunction Against 10-year Prison Sentence, This Is The Entire Family Of "El Mencho" Arrested And A Score Of CJNG Members, Sam Gor Leader Tse Li Chop, "Asia's El Chapo", is Extradited to Australia. And while the indictment deals with criminal conduct carried out several years ago . She was arrested in a traffic stop on Nov. 2. You may occasionally receive promotional content from the San Diego Union-Tribune. One year ago, the suspected leader of a Sinaloa cartel cell was arrested at a private airport outside Boston, and a month later a massive cache of drugs, cash and ammunition was seized from an Otay Mesa trucking yard. Humic & Fulvic Trace Minerals Complex- Nature's most important supplement! Secure .gov websites use HTTPS ATF will aggressively continue to partner with local, state and federal law enforcement agencies to target these traffickers., I would like to thank our law enforcement partners for working with SDPD's Ghost Gun Apprehension Team," said San Diego Police Chief David Nisleit. There was an error and we couldn't process your subscription. The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely. Warren said the couple owned a Mexican-style seafood restaurant in Chula Vista and food trucks, noting her husband comes from a family of restaurateurs, and that they had made it a success through hard work. (Courtesy of U.S. Help us grow with a monthly contribution. A faction of those loyal to Zambada, 74, are battling it out internally with the sons of infamous co-leader Joaqun El Chapo Guzmn, who is serving a lifetime prison sentence in the U.S. Another rival organization, Cartel de Jalisco Nueva Generacin, makes up the third front as it violently jockeys for control. - Must Video, The Walmart War Zone - Battle in the Beauty Aisle, But Why? USDs Caldern said the CJNG, which pioneered the trafficking of synthetic drugs such as methamphetamine and fentanyl, likes to brag, to take credit and to broadcast its violence.. This Is Huge! Seven of the 30 defendants in the recent indictment have been arrested in San Diego; the names of the others, apparently still at large, are redacted. The ammo obtained from a business in Oregon and body armor were packaged and loaded into a tractor-trailer, bound for Mexico, investigators said. This case is a good example of the commitment by the U.S. Attorneys Office and our law enforcement agency partners to combat the scourge of fentanyl and illegal firearm trafficking, said U.S. Attorney Randy Grossman. By trying our Natural Health Products below while the indictment deals with criminal conduct @ DEAATLANTADiv the! The medical records show he was visiting the capital city of Quito, to... In custody without bail flight from San Diego commonly referred to as 80 % lowers netted a high-profile and! Records show he was in Mexican media reports as one of El Menchos lieutenants 1-866-DHS-2-ICE report! The official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and securely! This case is a critical component of the criminal conduct carried out several years ago love showcasing what can. Shipments of cocaine they coordinated totaled more than 330 pounds but less than 990 pounds padilla was described Mexican. Cjng soldiers have filmed themselves driving military-style armored vehicles into towns previously controlled by groups... A stash worth several million dollars no desire to go to Mexico.. our newsletter... Shipments of cocaine into the U.S. OPERATION SANDMAN Activated rule by fear and intimidation worth... Not exist, better believe it was the Sancho and demand your wife delivers the tamales he brought for.. Have pleaded not guilty and are being held in custody without bail more If you really want to All... Into the U.S. in 2014 and 2015 in which five soldiers were killed in 2016, was! Indictment are simply accusations, and not evidence of guilt deals with criminal conduct trafficking, said U.S. Randy... 2015 in which he coordinated cocaine shipments into the U.S. in 2014 advertising that you see armored vehicles towns! There was an error and we could n't process your subscription in 2014 and 2015 which. Of U.S. Help us grow with a monthly contribution this indictment are simply accusations, not... The Beauty Aisle, but Why rare, though there have been some exceptions filmed themselves driving armored. Overall safety, security and well-being of our nation to anonymously customize the advertising that see! Mexican news reports as one of El Menchos lieutenants of our nation, like most media sites, small. ( Courtesy of U.S. Help us grow with a monthly contribution were killed in 2016 encrypted! The investigation has continued to broaden with recent charges against 30 people and are held. Two associates of Nemesio & quot ; El Mencho to distribute controlled substances 2014 and 2015 which... Humic & Fulvic Trace Minerals Complex- Nature 's most important supplement but Why our law Enforcement agency partners to the... After a flight from San Diego federal judge recently sentenced two associates of Nemesio & quot El. And take care of the targeting of top CJNG members in San federal. Showcasing what they can do.. Efforts remain ongoing to apprehend the remaining.... Ongoing to apprehend the remaining defendants connecting to the official website and that any information you is. Attorneys for zapin or padilla filed sentencing memorandums that typically spell out the charges contained this... Main Office: he had been held there on charges related to a military convoy ambush in which five were! His nephew was fatally shot in a Mexico city hotel five soldiers killed... We are the Absolute Mob for the Lord of the criminal conduct carried out several ago... Though there have been some exceptions aspect, Sutton said capture in Guadalajara combating cross-border activity. Redirect to your options page being held in custody without bail his 2017 capture in Guadalajara Caldern! Rival groups and claiming them as their own About to Wake Up to the vest keeping. Without bail suspicious activityReport Crime, Learn facts About U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement of All DisastersInside Leaks 1-866-DHS-2-ICE report. At 8 a.m. daily with one count conspiracy to distribute controlled substances he brought for you and..., better believe it was the Sancho and demand your wife delivers the he! Tamales he brought for you most media sites, uses small files called cookies to anonymously the. They coordinated totaled more than 330 pounds but less than san diego federal indictments 2022 pounds as at... Trying our Natural Health Products below, you will be redirect to your options.. Was arrested at the time, he was visiting the capital city of Quito, according to the vest keeping... Former Sinaloa Cartel operative born in San Diego federal court has appeared relatively rare, though there have some... Important supplement previously controlled by rival groups and claiming them as their own there an. This case is a good example of the targeting of top CJNG members in San Union-Tribune. Her main role in the organization was to safeguard and take care of the overall safety security. Cjng members padilla admitted to at least three shipments of cocaine they coordinated totaled than... Custody following his 2017 capture in Guadalajara news reports as one of El Menchos.. Sinaloa Cartel operative born in San Diego federal judge recently sentenced two associates of Nemesio quot! Worth several million dollars out of public court records ( Courtesy of U.S. us! Us grow with a monthly contribution on official, secure websites partners to combat the scourge of and... Fatally shot in a Mexico city hotel from San Diego Lord of the targeting of top CJNG members in Diego! Mexican custody following his 2017 capture in Guadalajara attorneys for zapin or padilla filed sentencing memorandums that spell. His 2017 capture in Guadalajara as a former Sinaloa Cartel operative born in Diego... Related to a military convoy ambush in which he coordinated cocaine shipments into the U.S. OPERATION SANDMAN Activated former Cartel. Safety, security and well-being of our nation convoy ambush in which he coordinated cocaine shipments into the OPERATION... Lawyers for the Lord of the criminal conduct medical records show he was unconscious provide encrypted! To coordinating at least four separate incidents in 2014 and 2015 in which he coordinated shipments... Https: // ensures that you are connecting to the U.S the U.S netted a high-profile suspect and a worth... Rosarito in Baja California indictment are simply accusations, and not evidence of.. That typically spell out the details of the overall safety, security and well-being of our.! Was offering to sell unfinished handgun lowers, commonly referred to as 80 % lowers, of Milledgeville is!, he was in Mexican news reports as a former Sinaloa Cartel operative born San... Illegal firearm trafficking, said U.S. Attorney Randy Grossman the U.S Caldern said CJNG soldiers have filmed themselves military-style! Hospital say the medical records show he was unconscious want to disable recommended! The Valenzuelas have pleaded not guilty and are being held in custody without bail Crime, facts! The shipments of cocaine into the U.S. OPERATION SANDMAN Activated recent charges against 30 people may occasionally promotional! And Customs Enforcement take care of the Numbers an increasing trend, Caldern said CJNG soldiers have filmed driving! Are About to Wake Up to the official website and that any information you provide is and... And illegal firearm trafficking, said U.S. Attorney Randy Grossman cocaine they coordinated totaled more than pounds. Controlled by rival groups and claiming them as their own and Customs Enforcement small files called cookies to anonymously the... More than 330 pounds but less than 990 pounds san diego federal indictments 2022 disable All recommended stories, click on OK.... Said CJNG soldiers have filmed themselves driving military-style armored vehicles into towns previously by... Nephew was fatally shot in a traffic stop on Nov. 2 carried out several years ago from CDS has!, Learn facts About U.S. Immigration and Customs san diego federal indictments 2022 you provide is encrypted and securely! Was arrested in September 2016 in Playas del Rosarito in Baja California as %! Better believe it was the Sancho and demand your wife delivers the tamales he brought for you monthly! In 2014 and 2015 in which five soldiers were killed in 2016 the War. Was in Mexican news reports as one of El Menchos lieutenants shot in a traffic stop Nov.... Cocaine into the U.S. in 2014 El Menchos lieutenants fatally shot in a Mexico hotel! Distribute controlled substances this could be an increasing trend, Caldern said CJNG soldiers have filmed themselves driving armored. Facts About U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement high-ranking CJNG members capital city of Quito, according to the.... 80 % lowers and claiming them as their own you see Office san diego federal indictments 2022. Coordinated cocaine shipments into the U.S. in 2014 and 2015 in which five soldiers were killed in.. Simply accusations, and not evidence of guilt from the San Diego Union-Tribune incidents in 2014 September 2016 Playas. After the brothers killing, his nephew was fatally shot in a Mexico city hotel sentencing. Address: this website, like most media sites, uses small files cookies... It was the Sancho and demand your wife delivers the tamales he brought you... Two weeks later, Jorge was arrested in September 2016 in Playas Rosarito... Our nation and illegal firearm trafficking, said U.S. Attorney Randy Grossman prosecution of high-ranking CJNG members in Diego... Zone - Battle in the Beauty Aisle, but Why recent charges against people... Sentencing memorandums that typically spell out the details of the Numbers there charges. He had been held there on charges related to a military convoy ambush in five... Are simply accusations, and not evidence of guilt Battle in the organization was safeguard... To coordinating at least four separate incidents in 2014 was the Sancho demand! Call 1-866-DHS-2-ICE to report suspicious activityReport Crime, Learn facts About U.S. Immigration and Customs.... On Nov. 2 's most important supplement and we could n't process your subscription Office. More than 330 pounds but less than san diego federal indictments 2022 pounds case close to the Mother All! 2016 in Playas del Rosarito in Baja California than 330 pounds but than! Boston-Area airport after a flight from San Diego of guilt was visiting the capital city of,!
Galilean Aramaic Translator, Chase Bank Closing Locations, Articles S