LOCAL : 4,558 Pounds of Coke Seized, 3 Arrested, Anaheim Police Say

Authorities from 25 law enforcement agencies announced in Anaheim today that 4,558 pounds of cocaine were confiscated during a six-month investigation that also uncovered a drug-trafficking ring with links to the East Coast and a Colombian drug cartel.

Three Colombian nationals, Juan Carlos Marteloto, 34, of Anaheim; John Borsoff, 28, of Perris, and his cousin, Elias Figueroa Borsoff, of Cali, Colombia, were arrested this week in connection with the drug bust, according to Anaheim Police Chief Joseph Molloy, speaking on behalf of a spokesman for the Regional Narcotics Suppression Program.

Two other suspects, Jorge Bustamente, 38, and Adolfo Gallego, 26, both of New York City, will be re-arrested, officers said. The two were originally taken into custody in November for allegedly transporting 700 kilograms of cocaine on I-40 near Needles but were released without charges.

Three vehicles, including a motor home, and $20,000 in cash were confiscated in addition to the cocaine, which has an estimated street value of more than $150 million, authorities said.

Investigators allege that the drug-trafficking operation, believed to be part of the Cali drug cartel, moved large quantities of cocaine through Orange and Los Angeles counties and to the New York-New Jersey area, officials said at an 11:15 a.m. press conference.

Authorities conducted surveillance at locations in Glendale, Lynwood and Bellflower, where the drugs were allegedly stored and transferred, authorities said.