3 arrests in meth raid
Men tied to major operation
By Wes Woods II, Staff Writer
Article Launched: 04/11/2007 01:00:00 AM PDT

ONTARIO - A man accused of helping distribute meth in a widescale operation and two other men arrested on suspicion of conspiracy are expected to be charged in Los Angeles County today. Photo Gallery: Meth bust in Ontario

Long Beach police arrested Guadalupe Espinoza, 32, on Monday at his Ontario home in the 800 block of Lassen Avenue, said Long Beach police Sgt. Paul LeBaron.

The others arrested were Francisco Zepeda, 31, who lived with Espinoza; and Angel Cruz Valdominos, 22, of Tijuana, Mexico, who was arrested when he drove away from the home.

Police arrived around 4 p.m. Monday to follow their investigation into meth distribution, and Ontario police assisted in the operation, LeBaron said.

More than $100,000 was seized from vehicles outside Espinoza's home, police said. Also seized was more than a pound of methamphetamine.

LeBaron said the men were part of a large-scale meth organization.

Espinoza had lived in Ontario at least six months and rented a home in the neighborhood with his girlfriend and her children, LeBaron said.

Espinoza bought meth in bulk from Mexican sources that was "extremely pure," LeBaron said.

Espinoza's arrest is "very significant," LeBaron said.

"He represented a piece of an organization that was extremely powerful and dealt with large quantities of drugs and a large amount of money," LeBaron said.

Espinoza's organization sold meth to a variety of people, including violent gang members, LeBaron said.

The meth would come into the Inland Empire and then move to Long Beach, Downey, Los Angeles County, Santa Ana and through "all of Southern California," LeBaron said.

Espinoza did not sell to his Ontario neighbors but instead conducted business elsewhere so he would not be suspected as a drug dealer, LeBaron said.

If convicted, the three men could face multiple years of prison time, LeBaron said.

BY THE NUMBERS

$12,000 to $16,000

Wholesale price per pound for ice - a strong form of meth

6,435

Incidents of labs, dumpsites, chemicals and glassware/equipment found nationwide in 2006

281

Incidents of labs, dumpsites, chemicals and glassware/equipment found in California in 2006

Source: U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration

http://www.dailybulletin.com/news/ci_5639002