$1 million worth of drugs seized, 13 arrested in Tulare County meth trafficking operation

TULARE, Calif. (KFSN) — The Tulare County Sheriff’s Office says it worked with nine other law enforcement agencies Monday to seize more than $1 million worth of drugs, resulting in 13 arrests.

The operation targeted members of a drug trafficking organization in Tulare County.

The investigation led to the discovery of three methamphetamine labs. Authorities say the labs were destroyed and the meth seized.

The sheriff’s narcotics unit, in cooperation with other agencies, served the warrant and said they seized a total of 1,146.17 pounds of methamphetamine, 1.3 kg of cocaine, 1.69 kg of heroin, 79 pounds of marijuana, 22 handguns and 11,000 dollars in cash.

13 people were detained during the operation. The suspects range in age from 23 to 60 and are from the Tulare, Kaalinga, Porterville and Alpo areas.

Detectives say they are still looking for two suspects, 39-year-old Rodel Corrales Ayona and 36-year-old Leonel Robles Meraz.

The department said the suspects listed below face various drug, weapons and conspiracy charges.

23-year-old Oscar Contreras

50-year-old Antonio Alvarado Pulido

51-year-old Angel Sanchez

Alma Gonzalez, 50

32-year-old Jose Luis Felix Ochoa

Michael Scott Ackerman, 60

24-year-old Gabriel Siqueiros Leon

47-year-old Vicky Sanchez

Juan Carlos Ruiz Jr., 24

30-year-old Javier Lopez

30-year-old Sostenes Quintero

36-year-old Yuriko Ayon

60-year-old Monica Ayon Fernandez.