The Sheriff’s Narcotics Unit has “shut down” a major methamphetamine distribution ring with ties to a Mexican drug cartel, operating in Northern San Luis Obispo County, making nine arrests and issuing arrest warrants on four other suspects, the Sheriff’s Department said in a news release.
After a 3-month investigation, starting in June, search warrants were served on nine locations in Paso Robles and Atascadero, as well as some in Bernadino County, said Sheriff’s Spokesman, Tony Cipolla.
“The Sheriff’s Office was assisted in the investigation by members of the Sheriff’s K-9 Unit, [federal] Drug Enforcement Administration, San Luis Obispo Police Department, County Probation Department, San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department, Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, CHP and Homeland Security Investigations,” Cipolla said.
Cipolla added that some 2 pounds of suspected methamphetamine was seized with an estimated street value of more than $12,000. Two handguns and ammunition were also confiscated.
“It’s believed this operation has ties to Mexican drug cartels,” said Cipolla.
Arrested for suspicion of conspiracy to commit a crime and possession of a controlled substance for sale were: Clarice Christensen, 59, Harold Johnson, 59, Angelica Solorio Lopez, 42, Ismael Garcia Cruz, 22, Hugo Ubaldo, 27, all of Paso Robles; Wendy Millan, 28 of San Miguel; and Lisa Becerra, 44 and Kevin Snyder, 30 of Atascadero.
Jesus Manuel Flores Ayala, 37 of Paso Robles was charged with suspicion of conspiracy and possession for sale, as well as transporting illegal drugs from one county to another non-contiguous county and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
Arrest warrants for on suspicion of conspiracy and possession for sale were issued for Francisco Simon Ubaldo, 30 of Paso Robles, Detra Nash, 53, Atascadero, Kansas Anderson Dorsey, 26 of Shandon, and Froilan Flores Gonzalez, 44 of Hesperia.
