SAN BERNARDINO, Calif., July 18 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Federal agents
and San Bernardino police officers executed federal arrest and search warrants
on Thursday that resulted in the arrest of 13 individuals. Enrique Billegas
and Isaias Avila were arrested for distribution of methamphetamine and 11
other individuals were arrested for possession of methamphetamine for sale and
violations of U.S. immigration laws.
The search warrants and arrests conclude a three-month, joint
investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF)
Violent Crime Impact Team (VCIT) and San Bernardino Police Department (SBPD)
Narcotics Unit, along with Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Four firearms,
more than $44,000 in U.S. currency, a substantial amount of methamphetamine
and seven vehicles were taken into custody. Four of the vehicles had hidden
compartments used to transport contraband.
"We are the violent crime police," said Special Agent in Charge John A.
Torres of ATF's Los Angeles Field Division. "ATF will continue to work
together with our law enforcement partners to identify, disrupt, arrest and
prosecute the most violent criminals in the San Bernardino area. The warrants
executed yesterday are an outstanding example of a collaborative effort to
make our cities safer."
Working in partnership with the SBPD and VCIT, the United States
Attorney's Office and the District Attorney's Office have used the firearms
statutes and mandatory minimum sentencing provided in the federal court system
to obtain the longest possible criminal sentences for prosecution.
More information on ATF and its programs to reduce violent crime is at
www.atf.gov.
Contact: Elaine Kwong, PIO
Office: (818) 265-2507
Cell: (213) 925-4547
SOURCE Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives
Elaine Kwong, PIO, +1-818-265-2507, or Cell: +1-213-925-4547
