SAN DIEGO – On March 18, 2025, two indictments were unsealed in federal court charging 16 alleged members of an Escondido-based drug trafficking organization with distributing large quantities of methamphetamine, fentanyl, cocaine, and Adderall.
In a coordinated March 18th takedown, more than 150 federal, state and local law enforcement officials arrested all 16 defendants and executed 16 search warrants in Escondido, San Diego, Orange County, and Roanoke, Virginia.
Including seizures on March 18th and throughout a 16-month investigation, authorities have confiscated:
- more than 2 kg of fentanyl;
- more than 53 kg (over 116 pounds) of methamphetamine;
- substantial quantities of cocaine and Adderall;
- nine firearms;
- body armor;
- large capacity magazines;
- and ammunition.
Crimes charged in the indictments include drug trafficking, conspiracy to distribute controlled substances, and conspiracy to commit money laundering offenses.
“This group was flooding our community with methamphetamine, cocaine, fentanyl and prescription pills—drugs that tear families apart and put lives at risk,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Andrew Haden. “Thanks to this law enforcement effort, we’re taking a major step in making our streets safer and holding traffickers accountable.”
“This case is a direct hit against a dangerous drug trafficking network that has been flooding our communities with deadly narcotics,” said Special Agent in Charge of HSI San Diego Shawn Gibson. “Let this serve as a stern warning to those looking to profit from trafficking illicit substances -We are seeking to dismantle these criminal organizations and committed to bringing all of those involved to justice.”
According to search warrants unsealed on March 18th, through numerous undercover operations and court-authorized wiretaps, agents conducted a number of controlled purchases and traffic stops of personal vehicles. These wiretap intercepts showed that defendants Hector Armando Espinoza and Demetrius Collins, AKA “Demo” held leadership roles in the organization and coordinated the distribution of kilogram quantities of methamphetamine and fentanyl.
In January 2024, an undercover agent conversed with Collins about purchasing methamphetamine and fentanyl, according to the search warrants. Collins agreed to sell the undercover agent four pounds of methamphetamine and 1,500 fentanyl pills for $10,500. Collins directed the agent to send the money to Alexis Amezquita’s address. Several days later, Collins retrieved the money from Amezquita’s mailbox. Collins then mailed a package to the undercover agent that contained approximately four pounds of methamphetamine and a half pound of fentanyl pills that were provided by Espinoza.
In February 2024, Collins agreed to sell the undercover agent five pounds of methamphetamine and 5,000 fentanyl pills for $20,000. Collins again retrieved the money from Amezquita’s mailbox and shipped the drugs, that were provided by Espinoza. The package was found to contain approximately 5.68 pounds of methamphetamine and 1.21 pounds of fentanyl pills.
Agents installed a tracking device on Espinoza’s car that he later discovered, according to the search warrants. Espinoza took the tracker off his car and put it on another random vehicle. Espinoza then began to rely heavily on others to distribute drugs on his behalf. During numerous wiretap intercepts, agents heard Espinoza set up drug sales with customers and then direct others such as Detavius Jones Corteze, AKA “Tay Tay,” Tracie Shean, and Collins to meet with the customers and distribute them on his behalf.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Sean Van Demark and Sarah Akhtar and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Sterling Winchester. Special agents and task force officers with the Fentanyl Abatement and Suppression Team (FAST) led this investigation.
DEFENDANTS
Hector Armando Espinoza, 29, Escondido
Demetrius Collins, AKA “Demo”, 34, Escondido
Rigoberto Agraz, AKA “Rigo”, 31, Escondido
Detavius Jones Corteze, AKA “Tay Tay”, 21, Escondido
Oscar Abeleida, 26, Cardiff
Bradly Tran, 21, San Diego
Jason Hai Duong,20, Irvine
Alexis Amezquita, 26, Escondido
Tracie Shean, 51, Escondido
Oscar Martinez, 32, National City
Evelyn Janet Caballero, 31, Escondido
Brianna Isabel Martinez, 21, Oceanside
Carlos Vargas, 29, Escondido
Celia Veronica Espinoza, 46, Escondido
Juan Carlos Gallegos, AKA “Donut”, 25, Escondido
Yatzel Hernandez, 34, Escondido
INVESTIGATING AGENCIES
HSI San Diego
Escondido Police Department
US Postal Inspection Office
San Diego Sheriff’s Department
U.S. Customs and Border Protection
U.S. Border Patrol
U.S. Marshall’s Service
Drug Enforcement Administration
California Department of Justice
San Diego Imperial Valley High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area
*The charges and allegations contained the indictments are merely accusations, and the defendants are considered innocent unless and until proven guilty.
https://cslea.com/2025/03/sixteen-defendants-charged-in-escondido-takedown-of-drug-trafficking-network/
