FBI Arrests 12 from Imperial Valley Drug Network Working For Guasave Cartel Leader "Chapo Isidro"
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In a coordinated operation in California, Arizona, Iowa, and Colorado, 12 alleged members of the [Beltran Leyva Cartel cell] of Fausto Isidro Meza Flores, “El Chapo Isidro,” were arrested. Six search warrants were executed in Imperial County, and the search continues for 10 more fugitives, some in Mexico.
The 22 alleged members of the transnational drug trafficking organization were indicted by a federal grand jury on charges of importing and distributing more than a ton of methamphetamine, fentanyl, and cocaine into the United States, laundering illicit proceeds, and attempting to export firearms from the United States to Mexico.
More than 1,000 kilograms of drugs, including methamphetamine, cocaine, and more than 750 kilograms of fentanyl, 10 firearms, and more than $250,000 in narcotics proceeds had been seized.
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| Fausto Isidro Meza Flores “El Chapo Isidro” |
Undercover Work & Wiretaps
Through undercover operations and multiple wiretaps, agents conducted numerous controlled buys and stopped private vehicles and trailers.
“Today’s law enforcement action marks the culmination of a complex, long-term HSI investigation, demonstrating the strong collaboration between federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies across the country,” said Shawn Gibson.According to search warrants, the defendants belonged to a Mexicali, Mexico and Imperial County based transnational criminal organization that operated as a distribution cell for the Beltrán Leyva Cartel, specifically associated with Fausto Isidro Meza Flores “El Chapo Isidro.”
Using undercover operations and multiple rounds of wiretaps, agents conducted numerous controlled purchases, traffic stops of personal vehicles and tractor trailers, and searches of houses and stash locations leading to large seizures of narcotics.
“We have literally seized a ton of drugs that were destined to hit our streets and harm our community,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Andrew Haden. “By disrupting this prolific, cartel-linked trafficking network, we are preventing the devastation and violence it brings.”
Some of those arrested from Mexicali were Irving Alberto López Valdés and Raúl Salomé Valdez-Orduno, 36 and 46 years old, respectively and Juan Damián Lizárraga Sánchez. Brandon Garcia, Roberto Marrufo, and Ricardo Miramontes Nava of Calexico were captured. Elizabeth Millan of San Diego was also arrested and 10 defendants remain fugitives.
According to court records, five of the defendants are also linked to smuggling activities, having previously been arrested and/or prosecuted for immigration-related offenses, including smuggling, aiding and abetting illegal entry, and selling or offering a visa.
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Semi-Truck Drug Seizures
In one instance on January 23, 2023, authorities seized approximately 1.4 million fentanyl pills after intercepting phone conversations about moving fentanyl pills in a semi-truck. Federal agents watched the transaction from afar, then conducted a traffic stop on the drug-laden tractor-trailer.
Law enforcement officials located 8 duffel bags containing approximately 148 kilograms of fentanyl in the trailer of the truck.
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Federal agents also seized firearms and ammunition during the investigation, including two gold plated AR-15 semi-automatic rifles hidden inside a 55-gallon barbeque grill on August 3, 2023. Two rifles, two pistols, approximately 2,000 ammunition rounds, and 7 magazines destined for Mexicali-based drug traffickers was also seized.
Cross Border Killing
During the fourth round of wiretaps, one of the wiretap targets, an Imperial County-based narcotics sub distributor, was shot multiple times in Mexicali and died several months later.
Investigators believe that the sub distributor was lured from the United States to Mexico and shot by a co-conspirator in relation to their drug trafficking and money laundering activities.
Source: https://www.borderlandbeat.com/2025/03/fbi-arrests-12-from-imperial-valley.html
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