Banning Residents Arrested In Widespread DEA Investigation

SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA, CA — Two Banning residents were among those arrested Wednesday as part of a widespread federal investigation into a drug trafficking organization with ties to the Sinaloa and the Jalisco New Generation cartels, the Drug Enforcement Agency announced.

Jose Angel Sanchez III, 40, and Luz Maria Sanchez, 43, both of Banning, were taken into federal custody on suspicion of various narcotics trafficking charges. Their arrests were part of a widespread search warrant service Wednesday that spanned nine locations across Los Angeles and Riverside counties, according to the DEA.

In total, seven people were arrested; two other people were still outstanding. In addition to the two Banning residents, the other arrestees included:

Anselmo Salvador Aguilar, 31-years-old, from Los Angeles, California (Los Angeles County)
Jose Chavez, 31-years-old, from Los Angeles, California (Los Angeles County)
David Cruz, 35-years-old, from Whittier, California (Los Angeles County)
Rogelio S. Naranjo, 44-years-old, from Long Beach, California (Los Angeles County)
Eduardo Nunez, 40-years-old from Los Angeles, California (Los Angeles County)

During Wednesday's operation, investigators seized 3 pounds of methamphetamine, 1 kilogram of heroin, approximately $50,000 in U.S. currency, 2 kilograms of cocaine, and one handgun, according to the DEA.

In March of 2020, the DEA launched Operation Crystal Shield to focus efforts on U.S. methamphetamine trafficking transportation hubs, the DEA explained in a news release. The agency identified "eight major methamphetamine transportation hubs": Atlanta, Dallas, El Paso, Houston, Los Angeles, New Orleans, Phoenix, and St. Louis. Together, these areas accounted for more than 75 percent of methamphetamine seized in the U.S. in 2019, according to the DEA.

As part of Operation Crystal Shield, DEA agents in Southern California began investigating a large-scale drug trafficking organization with ties to the Sinaloa Cartel and the Jalisco New Generation Cartel. The traffickers were transporting and delivering large quantities of crystal methamphetamine, the DEA said.

During the investigation, agents identified courier/stash house managers and locations associated with the drug trafficking organization, according to the DEA.

In addition to moving narcotics, the local distribution networks have been "remitting bulk U.S. currency to Mexico sources of supply and involved in black market peso money laundering," the DEA said.

According to the agency, over time investigators in Southern California have seized approximately $20,290,501 of narcotics proceeds, 3,555 pounds of methamphetamine, 2,118 kilograms of cocaine, and 69 kilograms of heroin.

“Today, methamphetamine is more potent, pure and cheap,” said DEA Special Agent in Charge Bill Bodner, Los Angeles Field Division. “Drug traffickers are saturating the community with this addictive drug and utilizing the Los Angeles area as a major transshipment hub to store and distribute their illicit drugs. These investigative efforts have resulted in huge quantities of methamphetamine being taken off the streets leading to safer and healthier communities.”

According to the DEA, nearly all methamphetamine in the United States comes through major ports of entry along the Southwest Border and is transported by tractor-trailers and personal vehicles along highways to major transfer centers around the country.

The Los Angeles Field Division offices in California are encountering more methamphetamine than ever and with greater frequency, according to the DEA.