Ramonans among those facing federal charges in drug bust
The names of those facing federal charges in the Operation Mountain Shadow drug bust that culminated Sept. 10 have been released by the U.S. Attorney’s Office of Southern District of California.
From Ramona are:
•Juan Aguirre, suspected of distribution of methamphetamine and conspiracy, unlawful possession of firearm, and discharge of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking offense
•Paulino Aguirre, suspected of distribution of methamphetamine and conspiracy
•Oscar Rodriguez-Torres, suspected of distribution of methamphetamine and conspiracy, and unlawful possession of firearm
•Miguel Rodriguez-Torres, suspected of methamphetamine and conspiracy
•Jose Ernesto Dinero, suspected of distribution of methamphetamine.
According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, some residences had not been determined yet. Also facing federal charges are:
•Johnny Castillo, suspected of distribution of methamphetamine and conspiracy, and unlawful possession of firearm
•Christopher Maldonado, Jose Tyoran, John Caudle, Michelle Vasquez, and Israel Ornelas, suspected of distribution of methamphetamine and conspiracy
•Todd Young, suspected of distribution of methamphetamine and conspiracy, and unlawful possession of firearm
The names of other suspects taken into custody yesterday have not yet been released. The operation, focusing on Ramona and Poway, took 65 people into custody and seized 14 pounds of heroin, 56 pounds of cocaine, 93 pounds of methamphetamine, five pounds of prescription pills, and 30 grams of marijuana — a total street value of $2.1 million, said the sheriff’s department. Also seized were 76 firearms, a live grenade found at a Ramona residence, and $230,000 in cash, officials reported. The majority of firearms were from Ramona, said Lt. James Bovet of the Sheriff’s Ramona station.
Operation Mountain Shadow was launched in October 2012 in response to numerous citizen complaints, said the Sheriff’s Department. At a Sept. 10 news conference, San Diego County District Attorney Bonnie Dumanis said a spike in crime in Ramona and Poway was tied to heroin and methamphetamine trafficking.
In addition to the sheriff’s department and the district attorney’s office, the following agencies participated in Operation Mountain Shadow: Drug Enforcement Administration Violent Trafficking Team; Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; U.S. Marshals Service; Regional Auto Theft Task Force; U.S. Attorney’s Office; U.S. Border Patrol; Narcotics Task Force; and FBI Violent Gang Task Force.