Historic Methamphetamine Bust for DEA Los Angeles Division
LOS ANGELES - The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Los Angeles Field Division, Southwest Border Initiative (SWB) Group 2, along with the Fontana Police Department, seized approximately 3,552 pounds of methamphetamine and 66 kilograms of cocaine in Norco, California. This is the largest seizure of methamphetamine for the DEA Los Angeles Division.
Investigators had been investigating a cocaine and methamphetamine drug trafficking organization believed to be linked to the Sinaloa Cartel. During the investigation, DEA agents and Task Force Officers, with assistance from detectives with the Fontana Police Department, identified a local house in Norco, California where drugs were being stored. In late September 2022, investigators observed an individual carry out three weighted boxes from the residence and put them in a vehicle. A search of the vehicle resulted in the seizure of 66 kilograms of cocaine and an additional seizure of approximately 3,552 pounds of methamphetamine from numerous boxes located in the garage of the residence. The total seized drugs have an estimated street value of $33 million dollars.
“Synthetic drugs like methamphetamine are highly addictive, dangerous and killing people at alarming rates,” said DEA Los Angeles Special Agent in Charge Bill Bodner. “This massive seizure likely saved lives and prevented the Sinaloa Cartel from doing business and profiting on the lives of people in our communities.”
The greater Los Angeles area is a major transshipment hub where illegal drugs coming from the southwest border are stored in local warehouses, storage units, and residential properties. The bulk shipments of drugs are usually broken down into smaller quantities and transported to other states or distributed to local dealers. The greater Los Angeles area has many international airports, freeways, and bus and train lines that make it easy for shipments to be smuggled to other destinations.
This investigation is being conducted by Fontana Police Department and DEA Los Angeles Field Division. This investigation into the drug trafficking organization is ongoing.
In 2021, a record number of Americans – 107,622 – died from a drug poisoning or overdose. A large percentage of those deaths can be attributed to synthetic drugs such as fentanyl and methamphetamine.
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Los Angeles Field Division is the 2nd largest division in DEA and responsible for the seven largest counties in Southern California—Los Angeles, Orange County, Ventura, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, as well as the states of Nevada (Las Vegas/Reno), and Hawaii (Oahu/Maui), and the U. S. Territories of Guam and Saipan.
