In predawn raids Tuesday, authorities arrested 43 people that federal prosecutors said are linked to a large-scale methamphetamine and heroin trafficking organization in Imperial County.
Thirty were charged in federal grand jury indictments with conspiring to import and distribute the illicit drugs, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office in San Diego. The others who were arrested will be charged in state court.
Federal, state and local law enforcement agents also seized 14 firearms and 30 pounds of methamphetamine worth an estimated $1 million during the investigation, officials said.
"Today the Imperial Valley law enforcement community has taken down a widespread narcotics distribution ring that supplied the vast majority of the meth and heroin on the streets in El Centro, Brawley and Calipatria," Joe Garcia, interim special agent in charge of the San Diego branch of Immigration and Customs Enforcement's Homeland Security Investigations, said in a statement.
Officials said many of the individuals arrested and charged were members of Imperial Valley gangs. Charges included conspiracy to distribute heroin and methamphetamine, and possession of heroin and meth with intent to distribute. Charges carry maximum penalties of life in prison with a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years and a $10 million fine.
The U.S. Attorney's Office said it's seen a more than 50 percent increase in the number of meth-related prosecutions in Imperial County over the past five years. Currently, meth-related cases make up 70 percent of all federal drug prosecutions in Imperial County compared to 18 percent in 2010.
Eighteen people in Imperial Valley died of meth-related causes last year, according to the Imperial County coroner.
The San Diego area is the biggest entry point for Mexican meth brought to the U.S. Law enforcement experts estimate that more than 70 percent of meth bound for the U.S. comes through San Diego ports of entry.
