CHICO — The Special Enforcement Unit of the Butte County Sheriff’s Office made 12 arrests Monday after discovering $164,200 found stashed in a vehicle during a traffic stop on Nov. 6.
The traffic stop spurred a search warrant on properties along Bonnie Meadow Lane in Brush Creek, said a press release issued Thursday by the Sheriff’s Office.
According to the release, deputies believe the three arrested during the traffic stop were en route to buy a large amount of pot while armed.
When serving the warrant, multiple men ran into the woods but deputies detained 15 people and arrested 12, all from Mexico.
Detectives think the operation was being run by a Mexican drug trafficking organization. They destroyed 1,204 live marijuana plants, collected 278.91 pounds of processed marijuana bud, 457.32 pounds of marijuana bud on stem and 184.02 pounds of marijuana shake.
The Special Enforcement Unit also located and collected two illegal AR-15 rifles with high capacity magazines, one of which was a short barreled rifle, one AK-47 with a high capacity magazine, three pistols and ballistic rifle rated body armor. Detectives seized $14,380 in U.S. currency.
Roberto Estrada, 38, was arrested on suspicion of maintaining a residence for drug sales, employing a minor under the age of 21 to sell marijuana and possession of marijuana for sale.
Nestor Ortiz, 32, was arrested on suspicion of maintaining a residence for drug sales, cultivation of marijuana and possession of marijuana for sale.
Cristobal Briseno, 19, was arrested on suspicion of cultivating marijuana and possessing marijuana for sale.
The following people were arrested on suspicion of cultivating marijuana:
- Orlando Martinez, 29 years old;
- Emilio Orozco, 31;
- Daniel Perez, 22;
- Bernardo Ayalavarez, 34;
- Jennifer Marquez, 34;
- Vianney Barcena, 34;
- Beatriz Alvarez, 34;
- Carolina Ruiz, 20;
- Dulce Sanchez, 27.
According to the release, there are more suspects that have been identified but not yet arrested.
