LOS ANGELES COUNTY, Calif. – Federal authorities arrested 17 members and associates of the La Puente-based Puente-13 gang on Wednesday following a major investigation into kidnapping, shootings, and large-scale drug trafficking. Puente-13 gang arrests, Federal officials have charged a total of 20 defendants in an indictment outlining a wide range of criminal activity in the San Gabriel Valley.
The charges include the distribution of methamphetamine and fentanyl, conspiracy to commit kidnapping, and the illegal sale of firearms, including machine guns Of those charged, 17 were arrested this week, one is already in state custody, and two are on the run.
The defendants arrested on Wednesday include:
Victor Sanchez, 24, a.k.a. “Pollo” and “Chicken,” of San Bernardino;
Isaiah Castro, 24, a.k.a. “Boy,” of Azusa;
Isaac Estrada-Frost, 21, a.k.a. “Ghost,” of Rosemead;
Heather Covarrubias, 40, a.k.a. “Snowbella,” of Diamond Bar;
Dominic Ornelas, 23, a.k.a. “Dom” and “Lil Speedy,” of Rancho Cucamonga;
Adrian Lopez, 25, a.k.a. “Tapped In” and “Monkey,” of La Puente.
Bryan Gordian-Padilla, 24, a.k.a. “Goon,” of West Covina.
The investigation revealed that the gang allegedly used violence to protect its territory and enrich the Mexican Mafia.
During the probe, law enforcement seized 71 firearms, 10 pounds of methamphetamine, and thousands of pills containing fentanyl and carfentanil—a synthetic opioid significantly more potent than fentanyl.
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