7 Riverside, Los Angeles County Men Arrested in DEA Suppression of Meth Trade Across the United States – CBS Los Angeles

RIVERSIDE (CBSLA) – Seven men were arrested this week as part of a major DEA operation to close meth trade across the country.

“Operation Crystal Shield” was launched in March last year to crack down on eight major methamphetamine transport hubs, which the DEA says accounted for more than 75% of the methamphetamine seized in the United States in 2019. Operations in Riverside and Los The counties of Angeles are believed to be associated with the Sinaloa cartel and the Jalisco New Generation cartel and involved in the transportation and supply of large amounts of crystal methamphetamine.

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(Credit: DEA)

The study identified Southern California-based drug courier / storage home managers, plus several locations affiliated with the courier and drug trafficking organization, according to the DEA. The men arrested on Wednesday face a series of charges of drug trafficking.

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During Wednesday’s raid, federal agents also seized 3 pounds of methamphetamine, one kilogram of heroin, 2 kilograms of cocaine, a gun and about $ 50,000 in cash.

The DEA says virtually all methamphetamine in the United States is transported by tractor trailers and personal vehicles along the country’s highways and is often found along with cocaine, heroin and fentanyl. Methamphetamine seizures have been rising and the DEA collected more than 6,000 kg in 2019, a jump of 120% from the previous year.

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Since the investigation began, federal agents have seized 3,555 pounds of methamphetamine; 2,118 kilos of cocaine, 69 kilos of heroin and more than $ 20 million in drug revenue, DEA officials said.

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