Two Long Beach men have been nabbed on suspicion of slinging narcotics—fentanyl and methamphetamine into an auto upholstery shop in Gardena. Hector Valle, aged 48, and his compatriot, 52-year-old Efren Sanchez, found themselves in cuffs today, staring down the barrel of an 11-count federal grand jury indictment, as reported by the U.S. Attorney's Office.
The raid wasn't just a grab at these two men; it was also a grab at the poison they're accused of pushing. To thoroughly uncover what lay behind the storefront of "Stitchn’ Time," officials executed search warrants at three locations, where they proceeded to seize a veritable narcotic treasure trove: over 31 pounds of fentanyl, nearly a pound of methamphetamine, over a pound and a half of cocaine, half a dozen firearms, plenty of ammunition, and roughly $22,000 in cash. "Those who traffic in fentanyl are well aware that they are profiting by putting others’ lives at risk," said United States Attorney Martin Estrada, in a statement obtained by the U.S. Attorney's Office, underlining the stark stakes of the drug trade.
The charges against Valle and Sanchez span the gamut, from conspiracy to distribute and possession with the intent to distribute fentanyl and methamphetamine, to being felons in possession of firearms. Valle faces additional charges for possession with intent to distribute cocaine, and possession of firearms in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. If proven guilty, the men could face the rest of their lives behind bars, with a mandatory minimum of a decade.
The FBI is channeling considerable resources into the investigation, in league with the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office detailing the case. Matt Coe-Odess, an Assistant United States Attorney with the General Crimes Section.
