Drug Agents Seize Heroin, $5.2 Million
Federal and Orange County narcotics agents have confiscated 18 pounds of heroin and more than $5.2 million in cash, the largest seizure of money in a California drug raid, authorities said Thursday.
The raids, which came Wednesday afternoon and early Thursday at two residences in South Gate and Riverside, capped a six-week investigation by members of the Orange County Regional Narcotics Suppression task force into a major Mexican heroin smuggling ring.
Arrested in the raids were Eulogio Quinones Valdez, 32; Delia Caballero Valencia, 28, and Silvia Juarez Madrigal, also 28. The three, all Mexican nationals, were charged with conspiracy to possess and distribute heroin.
“The amount of the money and the amount of heroin amazes me,” said Capt. Tim Simon, head of the task force. Simon said the heroin, which tested to be 73% pure, was probably destined for clients in the Los Angeles area.
Joseph Charles, assistant special agent in charge of the U.S. Customs Los Angeles office, said the $5.3 million was second only to that taken in a Miami case in being the greatest amount of cash seized in a U.S. raid. The 18 pounds of heroin set a record as the largest amount seized on land in the United States.
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