Seven arrested for narcotics trafficking : Organized crime ring busted in Fallbrook

Seven arrests have been made in what authorities are calling an organized crime narcotics trafficking operation that appears to have flourished in Fallbrook for several years and is known to have ties to a street gang here.

Members of the operation were reportedly purchasing narcotics including methamphetamine and marijuana from both Mexico and Canada and transporting them to Fallbrook, where they distributed them to individuals who would sell the drugs on the street level throughout San Diego County.

“[These individuals] were supplying the dealers,” said San Diego County Sheriff’s Department Lt. Derek Clark of the North County Gang Task Force. “They were a middle-man distributorship – a mid-level narcotics trafficking organization.”

Clark confirmed that Fallbrook was the ring’s hub and that the operation likely started quite a while ago.

“I’m sure it’s been going on for several years; there’s no doubt,” Clark said. “You don’t start something like this overnight.”

The arrests took place on three different days: June 18, 19, and 23.

Those arrested on various charges, including possession of a controlled substance, possession of a controlled substance for sale, transportation of a controlled substance and conspiracy to transport and sell a controlled substance include Fallbrook residents Adam Jeffrey Lee, 23; Jasiel Pedroza, 27; Joel Cintora Cazares, 36, and brother Enrique Cintora Cazares, 34; and Roberto Gerardo Ponce, 27; and North County residents Brad Kevin Block, 33, and Chase Alexander Kendrick, 24.

Seven Fallbrook area properties that authorities say were occupied by the involved individuals and/or searched relating to the case include 1236 South Vine Street, 2464 East Mission Road, 3542 Luneta Lane, 5405 Fairgreen Way (Bonsall), 1173 Senwood Way, 4963 Lake Park Court (off Dulin Road) and 1455 South Alturas Road, Space #12.

Clark said while the arrests have curtailed the group’s activities, there are two or three more individuals still being sought in connection with the operation and more arrests are expected soon.

“This particular narcotic trafficking organization has essentially ceased to exist with these arrests and the arrests that will be made in the future,” Clark said.

Clark said the leader of the criminal enterprise appears to be Pedroza. “He was definitely the primary in this,” he said. “He was the one making decisions, directing other people.”

Officers seized narcotics, weapons and vehicles in the process.

The arrests were made by members of the North County Gang Task Force, which is 22 people strong and includes individuals from Escondido, Oceanside and Carlsbad police departments, the Sheriff’s Department, the California Department of Justice, the US Marshal’s Service, the FBI and probation and parole officers.

In this particular case, the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency assisted in the investigation due to the fact that drug trafficking was taking place across international borders.

The North County Gang Task Force focuses on long-term investigations into complex activities that, in many cases, span various law enforcement jurisdictions. Officers have been following the activities of this group for almost two years.

“Our investigations typically last one to three years,” Clark explained. “We look at the leadership and the ongoing criminal, organized crime activities and this [case] will absolutely be prosecuted as such.”

While these arrests are significant, Clark said local deputies and detectives continue to work on street-level criminal activities involving drugs and gangs.

“There are certainly other things going on,” Clark said. “The detectives at the Fallbrook [substation] are working directly on that. The task force works hand in hand with them.”

While Clark would not confirm the previous criminal records of those arrested, he did indicate that criminal histories existed with some of the arrestees.

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