Operation Trash Panda Shutters Clandestine Drug Labs

March 4, 2026 – Sacramento County Sheriff's Office officials report that on February 27, 2026, the Sacramento County Sheriff’s Office SAINT (Sacramento Area Intelligence Narcotics Team) and Calaveras County Sheriff’s Office CNEU (Calaveras Narcotics Enforcement Unit) served multiple high risk search warrants after a joint investigation that began in October 2025 when illegal dumping in Calaveras County revealed evidence of clandestine drug lab byproducts.

An active methamphetamine lab was dismantled in the 8000 block of Center Drive in Valley Springs. A second site in the 2000 block of Golf Road in Turlock contained all equipment necessary to operate as a lab but was stopped before production. A third location in the 900 block of Reno Avenue in Modesto was used by the Drug Trafficking Organization (DTO) to store and distribute illicit narcotics. The DTO was manufacturing and distributing methamphetamine throughout Northern California.

RESULTS:

• 8 suspects arrested on state and federal charges (one on the National Terrorist Watch List)
• 12 firearms (8 handguns, 3 shotguns, 1 rifle) and over 1,000 rounds of ammunition
• 1,443 lbs. suspected methamphetamine and 1,270 lbs. partially processed suspected methamphetamine totaling over 2,700 lbs., approximate street value $4,000,000 dollars
• 1,900 growing marijuana plants and over 100 lbs. processed marijuana

Related: Roughly 2,700 Pounds of Meth Seized in Multi-Agency Major Drug Trafficking Bust in Turlock, Modesto, and Calaveras County

The operation was led by the Sacramento County Sheriff’s Office SAINT and Calaveras County Sheriff’s Office CNEU in coordination with the DEA Sacramento District Office, Central Valley High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas CVC HIDTA, Homeland Security Task Force HSTF, Calaveras County District Attorney’s Office, Modesto Police Department, Merced Area Gang and Narcotics Enforcement Team MAGNET, Federal Bureau of Investigation FBI, Homeland Security Investigations HSI, and the United States Attorney’s Office.

This represents one of the largest domestic methamphetamine seizures in United States history.

All suspects were charged with numerous felonies. Identities are being withheld as the investigation remains active and ongoing.

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Source: Sacramento County Sheriff's Office