By Agencies
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Detectives from the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office Narcotics Street Team in conjunction with the Ventura County Combined Agency Team, targeted the drug trafficking activities of a Mexico based drug trafficking organization responsible for the importation of bulk quantities of methamphetamine from Mexico in the United States.
During the course of this month-long investigation, detectives learned a yet to be identified Hispanic male, believed to be operating out of Tijuana Mexico was responsible for coordinating drug shipments to people in the United States to include residents of Ventura County.
Investigators identified Juan Leon and Evelin Andino as the US based, co-conspirators responsible for storing and for the delivery of narcotics and illegal drug proceeds in the United States.
Investigators also identified Juan Gomez and Eliseo Ponce, as Ventura County co-conspirators responsible for the transportation and distribution of methamphetamine in Ventura County.
On November 4, 2021, Ventura County Sheriff’s Detectives served a search warrant for Juan Leon and his residence located in the 200 Block of 6th Street, City of Montebello.
The search warrant also included Evelin Andino’s person, her residence located in the 7100 Block of Olive Avenue, City of Long Beach and an offsite public storage also associated with Evelin Andino.
Detectives contacted and detained Juan Leon as he met with Juan Gomez and Eliseo Ponce in the City of Montebello.
During the contact, detectives located and seized approximately 10 pounds of methamphetamine believed to be destined for Ventura County.
Evelin Andino was also contacted and detained pursuant to the search warrant.
During the search of her vehicle, detectives located and seized a large amount of US Currency, believed to derived from illegal drug sales.
During the execution of the search warrant, detectives located additional methamphetamine, heroin and US Currency.
In total, detectives seized approximately 34 pounds of methamphetamine, several grams of heroin, and approximately $30,000.00 in suspected drug proceeds.
Based on the investigation, Andino and Leon were arrested for various narcotics related violations.
Both subjects were booked into the Ventura County Pre-Trial Detention Facility without incident.
Detectives anticipate additional arrests will be made from this case.
