36 people arrested in massive raid on Southern California drug trafficking with links to the Sinaloa cartel

Authorities said 36 people were arrested in a major raid on a California-based drug trafficking network with ties to the Sinaloa cartel.

The fentanyl and methamphetamine distribution network operating in the Imperial Valley was involved in drug trafficking, weapons offenses and money laundering, according to the U.S. Department of Justice.

More than 400 law enforcement officers were involved in the arrest of 36 suspects. Search warrants were executed at 25 locations in Los Angeles, San Diego, Imperial County, Fresno, Phoenix, Arizona and Salem, Oregon.

Authorities confirmed that 11 other suspects were still on the run.

Additionally, Alexander Grindley, a U.S. Border Patrol agent, was arrested on suspicion of methamphetamine trafficking.

The sprawling drug network was active in several locations, including Brawley, El Centro, Westmoreland, Imperial, Calexico, Niland, Holtville, Calipatria and Mexicali, Mexico.

According to court documents, the suspects belonged to various drug trafficking organizations that were part of a sprawling network that supplied dangerous drugs throughout Imperial County and beyond.

During the raid, the authorities seized:

• Over four kilograms of fentanyl, equivalent to about two million potentially lethal doses
• More than 324 kilograms of methamphetamine
• Significant quantities of cocaine and heroin
• 52 firearms, including handguns and rifles

Agents had been busy for years dismantling the operations of several previous raids.

On June 30, 2021, agents seized two pounds of methamphetamine and a stash of ghost guns and ammunition, including 15 lower receivers, three upper receivers, several barrels and stocks, 18 magazines, 40 9mm Luger cartridges, and approximately 400 rounds of Russian-made .223 Red Army caliber ammunition.

“None of the firearms or weapon parts had a serial number or marking that could identify them,” officials noted. “They were all ghost guns.”

Wiretapped conversations revealed that Cory Gershen had supplied ghost guns to members of the organization in exchange for methamphetamine. Agents also discovered a stash of assault rifles that were to be sent to Mexico.

Agents seized additional weapons and drugs from Guadalupe Molina-Flores, another member of the drug trafficking organization, including two AR-style Ghost Guns, a Colt .380 semi-automatic pistol, additional Russian rifle ammunition, and 309.4 grams (0.68 pounds) of methamphetamine.

“This investigation has dismantled a drug trafficking network that was responsible for supplying dealers in communities across the region,” said U.S. Attorney Tara McGrath for the Southern District of California. “But there is still work to be done. If you are a parent and today’s price of fentanyl scares you, talk to your children about the dangers of drug use. If you are an addict and your dealer was arrested today, seek treatment. And if you are a dealer but your supplier was arrested today, beware – we are after you next.”

“With this arrest, the Department of Justice has dealt another blow to the Sinaloa Cartel and its allies,” said Attorney General Merrick B. Garland. “I am grateful to the more than 400 law enforcement officers whose work in this operation resulted in dozens of arrests, indictments of 47 defendants, and the seizure of firearms, meth, cocaine, heroin, and two million potentially lethal doses of fentanyl. We will continue to tirelessly fight to protect American communities from the cartels.”