EAST COUNTY REGIONAL GANG TASK FORCE SEEKS PUBLIC’S ASSISTANCE TO LOCATE “RED MENACE” FUGITIVES

February 15, 2013 (San Diego)--The East County Regional Gang Task Force (ECRGTF) is seeking the public’s assistance to locate three fugitives who were charged with 30 other defendants on federal charges of possessing and distributing methamphetamine.

The 33 defendants were charged via federal indictments, case number 13cr0491-GPC and 13cr0492-GPC, with violating Title 21, United States Code, Sections 841(a)(1) and 846 – conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and Title 21, United States Code, Section 841(a)(1) – possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute.

On Tuesday, February 12, 2012, approximately 150 federal state and local law enforcement officers working in coordination with the ECRGTF served federal arrest search and seizure warrants.  The law enforcement operation resulted in the seizure of approximately 31 pounds of methamphetamine with an estimated street value of approximately $347,200; a pound of cocaine with an estimated street value of $12,800; $200,000 in U.S. currency; 31 firearms that included an AR-15 rifle, a fully automatic machine gun, a TEC 9, a Glock semi-automatic pistol, bolt action rifles and five silencers.  Indoor marijuana grow operations were discovered in two apartment units in Spring Valley, California.

The investigation dubbed “Red Menace,” involved federal wiretaps, undercover drug buys and extensive surveillance.  Many of the defendants in this investigation are documented gang members or associates.  The arrests are the latest in a series of large-scale multi-agency investigations addressing violent criminal enterprises.  Many of these investigations have been conducted under the FBI’s Safe Streets Violent Crime Initiative and through Violent Gang Safe Streets Task Forces.  Violent Gang Safe Streets Task Forces have become the vehicle through which many federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies can join together to address the violent crime plaguing their communities.

These Violent Gang Safe Streets Task Forces pursue violent gangs and criminal enterprises through sustained, proactive, coordinated investigations to obtain prosecutions under the U.S. Code, Titles 18 and 21, including violations such as racketeering, drug conspiracy, and firearms violations. The Safe Streets Task Force concept expands cooperation and communication among federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies, increasing productivity and avoiding duplication of investigative efforts.

The following individuals are being sought by the East County Regional Gang Task Force.