The Justice Department unsealed five indictments and one complaint this week, charging 11 people with distributing drugs in San Diego County.
The 16-month investigation was a collaboration between the FBI San Diego Violent Crime Task Force—Gang Group and Homeland Security Investigations. Investigators from the San Diego Police Department, the California Department of Corrections, the San Diego County District Attorney’s Office Investigations, and others also helped with the operation.
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The United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of California described how authorities targeted Asian Crips-affiliated drug dealers in Mira Mesa and other places in an investigation that included undercover officers, wiretaps, confidential informants, and more.
On March 25, over 200 law enforcement officers executed search warrants in National City, San Diego, Escondido, and Ramona, arresting seven offenders. Four more were arrested in the days before.
“We allege that these defendants turned neighborhoods into a marketplace for drugs and crime,” U.S. Attorney Adam Gordon stated. “By dismantling this network, we’re helping give the community back its streets.”
Authorities seized about 11 pounds of methamphetamine and two guns.
The defendants are Muriel Burless, 43, Eric Rose, 45, Roy Elazgui, 50, Rex Hernandez, 57, Antonio Gregorio Amposta, 52, Jesus Rodrigues, 49, Clyde Johnson, 64, Jeremy Espiritu, 36, Albert Mora, 54, Jason Quila, 45, and Priscilla Violante, 38.
The defendants face charges of conspiracy to distribute more than 50 grams of methamphetamine, which carries a maximum sentence of life in prison or a required minimum of 10 years in prison and a $10 million fine. Other allegations include distribution of more than five grams of methamphetamine and possession with the intent to distribute.
