Mexican Mobsters Nabbed in Months-Long Drug Sting

POSTED BY ALEXANDER NGUYEN ON DECEMBER 4, 2014


Photo credit: Airman 1st Class Gustavo Castillo

Seven suspects were in custody Thursday as a result of a three-month investigation into a drug ring suspected of distributing methamphetamine throughout the San Diego area and furnishing local gangs with guns.

Among those arrested Tuesday and Wednesday by officers with the San Diego Violent Crimes Task Force and other agencies was Chula Vista resident and documented Mexican Mafia member Robert Marin, 66, according to the FBI.


Marin, also known by the street names “Tawa” and “the Barber,” allegedly used his underworld authority to facilitate distribution of methamphetamine throughout the county in return for shares of sales profits and extortion payments, according to a federal complaint.


Also taken into custody this week were the alleged leader of the trafficking operation, 45-year-old Ernesto Erding of San Diego.


Court documents allege Erding plotted with co-conspirators to kidnap and murder a San Diego resident over unpaid drug debts, and solicited the help of the Mexican Mafia to kill a member of his own narcotics crew over unpaid drug debts.


The others arrested during the crackdown were identified as Rodney Corrigan, 56, of El Cajon; Edilberto Mejorado, 34, of San Diego; Karlene Moen, 36, of El Cajon; Oscar Padilla, 31, of Chula Vista; and Cesar Soto, 33, of San Diego.


During the probe, investigators also seized 49 guns and four blasting caps, the FBI reported.

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