SANTA ANA : Sting Yields 3 Arrests, 1,976 Lbs. of Cocaine

Members of a joint narcotics investigation unit seized nearly one ton of cocaine and arrested three people allegedly involved in the Orange County-based conspiracy, authorities said Monday.

Investigators with the Regional Narcotics Suppression Program, together with the FBI, seized 1,976 pounds of cocaine Thursday at an unoccupied Cerritos residence, according to Orange County Sheriff’s Lt. Dan Martini.

The cocaine, with an estimated street value of $35 million, was wrapped in kilo-sized packages that were stacked in cardboard boxes and loaded in a pickup truck in the residence’s garage.

Four suspects, all believed to be Colombian nationals, were arrested at other residences in Cerritos, Diamond Bar and Redondo Beach, Martini said.

Police identified the three adults arrested on suspicion of drug trafficking as: Marina Cardona Hernandez, 47; Juan Castro, 28; and Juan Callos-Cardona Cifuentes, 28.

The adult suspects are all being held in the Orange County Jail.

An unidentified, 16-year-old female juvenile was also arrested and released to relatives.

Authorities said they believe the Cerritos residence where the cocaine was seized was recently leased in order to store and distribute even larger quantities of the drug as part of a ring responsible for smuggling throughout Southern California.

Martini noted that the seizure was the first of its kind for the Regional Narcotic Suppression Program since the state’s Asset Forfeiture Law expired Jan. 1.

The suppression unit is partially funded by seized assets, Martini said.