Large drug bust results in 15 arrests, including Riverside County deputy

By Yosi Yahoudai
Founder and Managing Partner

RIVERSIDE, Calif. – A multi-agency investigation targeting the Sinaloa drug cartel resulted in more than a dozen arrests and the seizure of large amounts of drugs. 

According to the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Operation “Hotline Bling,” which started in 2023, resulted in the arrest of 15 people and the seizure of large amounts of drugs, including methamphetamine and fentanyl.

During the operation, which focused on the Inland Empire, agents seized approximately 376 pounds of methamphetamine, 37.4 pounds of fentanyl, 600,000 fentanyl tablets, 1.4 kilograms of cocaine, and seven firearms. 

The street value of the drugs is estimated at $16 million. According to the DEA, this investigation prevented the distribution of more than 10 million potentially lethal doses of fentanyl within the Inland Empire and throughout the US.

SUGGESTED:

The DEA said their investigation led agents to a corrupt Riverside County Correctional Deputy. Law enforcement ultimately arrested the deputy who was in possession of 104 pounds of fentanyl pills.

Fentanyl is the leading cause of death for Americans between the ages of 18 and 45; a single two-milligram dose can be fatal. 

“As fentanyl and methamphetamine continue to ravage our communities, we will continue to target drug trafficking organizations that put profit over people’s lives,” said United States Attorney Martin Estrada.

About the Author

Yosi Yahoudai is a founder and the managing partner of J&Y. His practice is comprised primarily of cases involving automobile and motorcycle accidents, but he also represents people in premises liability lawsuits, including suits alleging dangerous conditions of public property, third-party criminal conduct, and intentional torts. He also has expertise in cases involving product defects, dog bites, elder abuse, and sexual assault. He earned his Bachelor of Arts from the University of California and is admitted to practice in all California State Courts, and the United States District Court for the Southern District of California. If you have any questions about this article, you can contact Yosi by clicking here.

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