In a major blow to drug trafficking in Southern California, two brothers who masterminded a heroin delivery operation in Orange County have been sentenced to 24 years each in federal prison. Julio Cesar Martinez, known as “Primo”, and Victor Martinez, who also went by “Hector”, led a sinister scheme where orders were taken over the phone and heroin was home delivered to buyers, according to a Department of Justice press release.
The Martinez brothers, residents of Riverside County, admitted to importing heroin from Mexico and funneling at least 29 kilograms of the drug onto the streets. Julio Martinez, 45, was the brains behind the distribution to various “call centers” and Victor Martinez, 46, helped him manage the illicit revenue. One of their customers suffered a fatal overdose in December 2016, which highlighted the deadly impact of their trade, as per federal prosecutors.
During separate sentencing hearings, United States District Judge Cormac J. Carney handed down the sentences after the siblings pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute heroin back in August. United States Attorney Martin Estrada minced no words in condemning the duo, “These two brothers took drug dealing to another level by operating a heroin-delivery service that profited on the addiction and affliction of others,” he said. “While they and their families lived lavishly, these defendants ignored the destruction they caused in our community. Today’s sentence sends a clear message that we will not stand for misconduct of this sort.”
The Martinez brothers’ operation, known as 'Operation Horse Caller', was a well-oiled machine that managed to fly under the radar for years, utilizing a network of suppliers, mules, and runners, according to Donald Alway, the Assistant Director in Charge of the FBI's Los Angeles Field Office. Their covert lingo spoke of “food” for heroin and “taco” for one gram. To disguise the proceeds, the brothers laundered their dirty money, making deposits under $10,000 to avoid federal reporting laws; however, their tactics were ultimately fruitless against the concerted efforts of law enforcement.
Federal agencies, including the FBI and IRS Criminal Investigation, collaborated with local police departments to dismantle the network. The comprehensive investigation has already yielded 16 convictions. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Kevin J. Butler of the Violent and Organized Crime Section and involved substantial assistance from state and local law enforcement agencies.
The brothers will now face the consequences of years of destructive criminal behavior, behind bars for nearly a quarter century.
