Neighbors Stunned By Massive Gilroy Drug Bust
GILROY, Calif. (KCBS) - Members of several law enforcement agencies seized almost 475 pounds of crystal methamphetamine and cocaine, together worth more than $100 million, from a home in Gilroy Thursday, a Sacramento County sheriff's sergeant said.
Three men were arrested and $35,000 in cash was confiscated from the home, which contained 459 pounds of methamphetamine and 15 pounds of cocaine, Sgt. Tim Curran said.
"This is the largest drug bust in Sacramento history," he said. "Probably in Northern California history."
The multi-agency seizure began just after 7 a.m. at the corner of Roop Road and New Avenue, Curran said.
He said the suspects -- Mexican nationals Fabian Ayala, 28, Hector Salazar, 43, and Sergio Valencia, 35 -- will eventually be transported and held in Sacramento County.
Investigators believe the men are linked to a Mexican drug cartel and expect to make more arrests, Curran said.
The case began a year ago when an undercover Sacramento sheriff's deputy initiated a low-level street buy, Curran said.
"The investigation led to a major Mexico-based drug trafficking organization," he said.
The sheriff's department is not naming the cartel, he said.
Two firearms were also confiscated during Thursday's raid, which was assisted by state drug agencies, the Santa Clara County Sheriff's Office, and Gilroy police.
The case was investigated by task force members with the Sacramento County Sheriff's Department and Orange County Sheriff's Office, Curran said.
The California Multi-jurisdictional Methamphetamine Enforcement Team, the Drug Enforcement Administration's High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Task Force, the Department of Justice, and Modesto police also contributed to the effort.
