September 5, 2026 – SAN DIEGO, CA – Two complaints were unsealed in federal court this week charging 17 alleged 
members of a San Diego-based fentanyl trafficking organization with distributing large quantities of fentanyl throughout San Diego.
In a coordinated takedown Thursday, more than 200 federal, state and local law enforcement officials arrested 13 defendants and executed a search warrant in San Diego; two defendants were arrested earlier in the week; and two are fugitives.
Including seizures this week and throughout this 10-month Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) investigation, authorities have seized more than 27 kilograms of fentanyl; preventing more than 13 million potentially lethal doses from being distributed in San Diego. Additionally, agents seized more than 14.5 kilograms of cocaine, .6 kilograms of heroin, .8 kilograms of methamphetamine, and $49,000 in cash.
“Fentanyl is still out there—but so are we, and we’re coming for those who traffic it,” said U.S. Attorney Adam Gordon.
“Through the Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF), HSI San Diego and our federal, state, and local partners are bringing the full weight of a unified law enforcement effort against the criminal organizations pushing deadly fentanyl into our neighborhoods,” said Kevin Murphy, acting Special Agent in Charge of HSI San Diego. “This investigation reflects the strength of that partnership, resulting in multiple arrests and the seizure of significant quantities of fentanyl, cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine, and illicit proceeds. Together, we will continue working to disrupt and dismantle the networks that threaten public safety across our community.”
“As the Sheriff, I stand committed to working with local, state, and federal law enforcement to keep our communities safe,” said San Diego County Sheriff Kelly Martinez. “This investigation exemplifies the resources and level of law enforcement cooperation necessary to bring those responsible for distributing deadly narcotics to justice. These cases are time- and labor-intensive. The dedication of local, state, and federal law enforcement, analysts, and prosecutors is what makes it happen. I am extremely proud of everyone involved in this investigation and particularly the members of the San Diego County Sheriff’s Office.”
According to court documents, in November 2025, HSI San Diego and the San Diego County Sheriff’s Department, as part of the Fentanyl Abatement and Suppression Team (FAST), initiated an investigation into a drug trafficking organization (DTO) supplying fentanyl to multiple street-level dealers throughout San Diego, California. On November 25, 2025, agents seized 4.8 kilograms of fentanyl, 0.8 kilograms of methamphetamine, $10,042, and arrested Fabian Iniguez Ontiveros. A subsequent search of Iniguez’s cell phone revealed dozens of different fentanyl sub-distributors working for this DTO.
Through multiple investigative methods agents identified the leader of this DTO responsible for coordinating the smuggling and distribution of the fentanyl. Investigators also seized drug ledgers showing the organization routinely sells an ounce of fentanyl for $600 to $700, including making up to $20,000 in one night of deliveries. AfterIniguez was arrested, agents identified the new principal fentanyl distributor in the United States as Maricielo Ibarra Barrera.
From April to May 2026, investigators infiltrated the organization, conducting multiple fentanyl purchases coordinated by the organization and delivered by Ibarra. Investigators utilized months of surveillance operations to observe hundreds of instances where Ibarra drove from her residence to various locations around San Diego making multiple short stops consistent with drug distribution.
Beginning in June 2026 and continuing through August 2026, investigators obtained federal wiretaps targeting cellular telephones used by DTO. During these periods of interceptions, investigators intercepted dozens of calls and text messages between members of the organization located in the United States and Mexico. These wiretaps led directly to multiple seizures of fentanyl.
Evidence gathered indicated that Ibarra received as much as $50,000 per week for trafficking fentanyl on behalf of the DTO. On August 17, 2026, agents arrested Ibarra and executed a search warrant at Ibarra’s residence, where investigators discovered approximately 1.7 kilograms of fentanyl, 0.6 kilograms of heroin and $15,568.
On September 1, 2026, agents arrested two more members of the organization, Richard Alexander Arias Cruz and Juan Manuel Godinez and seized 14.52 kgs (32.01 lbs.) of cocaine and 20.28 kgs (44.71 lbs.) of fentanyl.
Special agents and task force officers with HSI San Diego’s Fentanyl Abatement and Suppression Team (FAST) led this investigation.
HSI San Diego’s FAST is a multiagency task force comprising state, local, and federal partners and was first established in August 2022 focusing on the disruption and dismantlement of criminal organizations that smuggle and distribute fentanyl within San Diego County. HSI’s FAST targets fentanyl smuggling and distribution networks to counter the rising overdose rate and decrease the availability and accessibility of fentanyl.
DEFENDANTS Case Number 26mj5181
*Redacted
Travis Faircloth Age: 42 Lemon Grove, CA
Diego La Madrid Age: 68 San Diego, CA
Leonardo Monteleone Age: 50 San Diego, CA
Andrew Reva Age: 51 Encinitas, CA
Garret Hutter Age: 56 Spring Valley, CA
Renee Trujillo Age: 55 San Diego, CA
Robert Clark Age: 61 San Diego, CA
Joseph Egan Age: 51 San Diego, CA
Nicole Lines Age: 37 Spring Valley, CA
Jeremy Jarrell Age: 39 Lakeside, CA
Erika Price Age: 39 Lakeside, CA
Stan Szumilas Age: 43 El Cajon, CA
Christopher Curll Age: 54 San Diego, CA
*Redacted
SUMMARY OF CHARGES
Conspiracy to Distribute Fentanyl - Title 21, U.S.C., Secs. 841(a)(1), 841(b)(1)(A), and 846 (Felony)
Maximum Penalty: Life in prison and $10 million fine
DEFENDANTS Case Number 26mj5173
Richard Alexander Arias Cruz Age: 26 El Cajon, CA
Juan Manuel Godinez Age: 22 Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico
SUMMARY OF CHARGES
Conspiracy to Distribute Fentanyl and Cocaine - Title 21, U.S.C., Secs. 841(a)(1), 841(b)(1)(A), and 846 (Felony)
Maximum Penalty: Life in prison and $10 million fine
INVESTIGATING AGENCIES
Homeland Security Investigations
San Diego County Sheriff’s Office
San Diego Police Department
California Department of Justice
U.S. Border Patrol
U.S. Customs and Border Protection
Drug Enforcement Administration
Naval Criminal Investigative Service
U.S. Marshals Service
U.S. Postal Inspection Service
California National Guard - Counterdrug Task Force
*The charges and allegations contained in an indictment or complaint are merely accusations, and the defendants are considered innocent unless and until proven guilty.
This case was investigated and prosecuted by the California Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) as part of Operation Take Back America. HSTFs, which were established by President Trump in Executive Order 14159, Protecting the American People Against Invasion, are joint operations led by the Department of Justice and the Department of Homeland Security. Operation Take Back America is a nationwide federal initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).
High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas (HIDTA) program, created by Congress with the Anti-Drug Abuse Act of 1988, provides assistance to Federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement agencies operating in areas determined to be critical drug-trafficking regions of the United States. This grant program is administered by the Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP). There are currently 33 HIDTAs, and HIDTA-designated counties are located in 50 states, as well as in Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and the District of Columbia.
Source: DOJ Release
