Operation Meltdown: 17 Arrested in Drug Trafficking Investigation 

March 13, 2026 – Placer County Sheriff's Office officials report that on Thursday, March 12th, the Placer County Special Operations Unit executed a major drug trafficking takedown. The investigation, which began in July 2025, started after an undercover detective purchased multi-pound quantities of methamphetamine from a North Auburn–based source.

Over the following months, Placer County Sheriff’s Office Special Operations detectives, working closely with Placer Special Investigations Unit agents, identified a large-scale drug trafficking network operating primarily out of Sacramento and supplying drugs into Placer County. The organization included members affiliated with a Mexican drug trafficking organization as well as individuals connected to two Sacramento-area drug and firearms trafficking gangs.

Investigators conservatively estimate the network distributed approximately 500 pounds of methamphetamine monthly throughout Sacramento and Placer Counties.

Coordinated Multi-Agency Operation

On March 12th, a coordinated multi-agency enforcement operation was conducted. Search and arrest warrants were simultaneously executed at 25 locations across Sacramento County, the City of Sacramento, Placer County, and Elk Grove. Seventeen individuals were arrested and transported to the Placer County Jail. All will be charged through the Placer County District Attorney’s Office.

Arrested Individuals:

• Esteban Ortega, 39
• Loc Dinh, 33
• Robert Stewart, 61
• Junior Mai, 27
• Alejandro Herrera, 41
• Kevin Berry, 51
• Laeilia Leffler, 42
• Michael Elliot, 41
• Julian Montano, 32
• Joe Saetern, 28
• Shawnray Shermer, 35
• Theodore St. Andre, 41
• Thomas Wood, 55
• Don Wedgeworth, 82
• Carl Spinella, 55
• Joshua Seaphanh, 19
• Jennifer Lowry, 46

Preliminary Seizure Amounts:

• 65 Pounds of Meth
• 7.25 Kilos of Cocaine
• ½ Pound of Molly
• 26 Firearms
• $100k+ in Cash
• 1 DMT Lab

Operation Goals

The goal of Operation Meltdown was to identify and dismantle the primary sources of illegal drug supply entering Placer County. By stopping those responsible for trafficking these substances, the Sheriff’s Office protects the community from the devastating effects of methamphetamine and other drugs.

This eight-month investigation sends a clear message: illegal drugs have no place in Placer County. Those who bring them here will be located, arrested, and prosecuted.

We applaud the Placer County Sheriff’s Office Special Operations detectives for their expertise, persistence, and dedication, which made this operation possible. We also thank our partner agencies for their critical support in serving warrants and ensuring the operation’s success.

Participating Agencies:

• Sacramento County Sheriff’s Office
• Sacramento Police Department
• Citrus Heights PD
• Folsom Police Department
• West Sacramento Police Department
• CACorrections
• ATF
• FBI - Sacramento
• California Department of Justice
• City of Roseville, California Police Department
• Placer County District Attorney's Office
• Rocklin Police Department
• Auburn Police Department (CA)
• Placer Regional Auto Theft Task Force
• Western Nevada Enforcement Team
• Sacramento Auto Theft Task Force
• Trident Unit (Placer County DA’s Office)
• Placer Special Investigations Unit
• Woodland Police Department

Source & photos: Placer County Sheriff's Office