A coordinated effort to smuggle narcotics into a San Diego County jail has resulted in several arrests, according to recent reports. The Sheriff's Detention Investigations Unit (DIU), following a criminal investigation that began in December 2024, uncovered a scheme involving inmates and external accomplices working together to introduce illegal substances into the Las Colinas Detention and Reentry Facility (LCDRF) in Santee.
Zamira Bellozo, with a birthdate of November 11, 1982, and Carli Gilstrap, born on August 30, 1993, both inmates at the time, appear to have coordinated with external parties, including Ernesto Villapondo (born May 2, 1974) and a 16-year-old girl, to facilitate the smuggling. According to the investigation, Villapondo drove the juvenile to LCDRF, where the narcotics were then surreptitiously transferred to a public area accessible within the jail. It was Gilstrap, the detectives believe, who retrieved the drugs to transport them into a secure area of the facility.
On Tuesday, the DIU, working with the Santee Sheriff's Station's Community Oriented Policing and Problem Solving (COPPS) team, executed a search warrant at Villapondo's residence in National City. Amid the operation, the juvenile involved was taken into custody. Villapondo, however, refused to comply with deputies' orders and proceeded to barricade himself inside the house, leading to the intervention of the Sheriff's Special Enforcement Detail (SED/SWAT), Sheriff's Crisis Negotiation Team (CNT), and the Sheriff's K-9 Unit. Following the standoff, Villapondo was arrested and treated at a hospital for an ankle injury incurred during the arrest.
During the search of Villapondo's home, detectives seized a total of 12 grams of methamphetamine and a gram of cocaine, according to an announcement by the San Diego Sheriff's Department. An additional 1.5 grams of methamphetamine were found on Villapondo whilst he was being booked. Facing a litany of charges, including smuggling narcotics into a jail facility, felony resisting, felony threats to a peace officer, conspiracy, and child cruelty, Villapondo's legal troubles have mounted significantly.
The 16-year-old girl, whose name has been withheld due to her minor status, was arrested on charges related to smuggling narcotics into the jail and felony resisting, though she was later released to a family member. Gilstrap faces re-arrest on multiple charges, including conspiracy and child cruelty, in addition to the drug smuggling allegations. Bellozo, who is currently in federal custody, is also facing multiple charges, all of which relate to the narcotics smuggling operation and conspiracy.
