Police, Feds Bust Massive Heroin Ring In Redlands

REDLANDS (CBS) — Police say they've taken down two crime organizations dealing heroin across San Bernardino and Los Angeles counties.

A total of 15 people have been arrested since Feb. 28 following a 10-month join investigation with Redlands Police, members of the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department narcotics unit and agents from the Drug Enforcement Administration. The investigation identified 20 suspects as members of a heroin "cell" dealing more than half a kilo a week of Mexican "tar" heroin in the East Valley portions of the county, including Redlands, Yucaipa and Highland.

Named in the federal indictment are: Salvador Gonzalez-Chavez, 29, of Fontana; Jose Perez Hernandez, 27, of San Bernardino; John James Flores, 63, of Redlands; Victor Hugo Padron Mendez, 35, of Rialto; Luz Maria Medina-Nieves, 29, of Fontana; Jimmy Nieves, 27, of Fontana; Luz Myriam Nieves-Cruz, 49, of Fontana; Angela Aragonez, 45, of Redlands; Peter
Francisco Flores, 29, of Redlands; Daniel Martinez, 57, of Redlands; Steven Kelly Olalia, 37, of Redlands; Fabian Jose-Maria Villanueva, 27, of San Bernardino; Alvaro Medina, 20, of Pomona; Mario Sandoval, 27, of Pomona; Lupe Hidalgo-Martinez, 49, of Fontana; Nereida Cynthia Puente, 41, of Hesperia; Fernando Salazar, 42, of El Centro; Roberto Gutierrez, 57, of
Cypress; David Reyes-Sandoval, 52, of Redlands; and Irene Arvizu, 56, of San Bernardino.

The federal indictments charge the named suspects with violating 21 counts of conspiracy to distribute heroin and 21 counts of possession with intent to and distribution of heroin.

If convicted as charged, each suspect faces a maximum of 40 years in federal prison.