November 7, 2026 – Stanislaus County Sheriff's Office officials report that the Stanislaus County Special Investigations Unit (SSIU) continues to investigate a large-scale methamphetamine manufacturing and distribution operation that has resulted in significant narcotics seizures and the discovery of clandestine laboratories over the past several months.
In September 2026, investigators were led to a clandestine methamphetamine laboratory in Terra Bella, California. During that operation, approximately 160 gallons of liquid methamphetamine, with the potential to produce approximately 1,000 pounds of finished methamphetamine, were discovered. Investigators also seized approximately 100 pounds of finished methamphetamine, $680,000 in cash, and eight firearms.
As the investigation continued, detectives identified additional locations associated with large-scale methamphetamine manufacturing and distribution.
On Thursday, November 5, 2026, investigators and allied law enforcement personnel conducted a coordinated operation resulting in the service of 12 search warrants throughout Fresno County. At about 6:10 a.m., search warrants were simultaneously executed at 11 locations in and around Yokuts Valley, near Dunlap, California. An additional search warrant was served at a location in Riverdale, California.
During the November 5th operation, investigators located approximately 1,200 pounds of methamphetamine in the Dunlap area, along with approximately 55 gallons of liquid methamphetamine solution, with the potential to produce an additional 500 pounds of finished methamphetamine. Investigators also located specialized equipment and chemicals used in the final processing of liquid methamphetamine at two separate clandestine laboratories in the Dunlap area.
In the hours leading up to the operation, investigators conducting surveillance observed a black sedan leaving one of the target residences at a high rate of speed. Detectives conducted a traffic stop several miles away, resulting in the seizure of approximately 100 pounds of suspected finished methamphetamine believed to be destined for distribution throughout our communities.
Throughout the other search locations, investigators also located 43 firearms, including rifles and handguns, along with hundreds of rounds of ammunition. Investigators also discovered approximately 15,000 marijuana plants and seized approximately $50,000 in cash.
Three individuals were arrested in connection with the operation:
- Miguel Angel Ontiveros Somera, 40, of Bakersfield.
- Jesus Galvan Ponce, 42, of Squaw Valley.
- Eduardo Magana Medina, 30, of Fresno.
At the Riverdale location, investigators discovered a third clandestine methamphetamine laboratory and approximately 700 pounds of methamphetamine in various stages of the manufacturing process. An additional 50 gallons of liquid methamphetamine solution were also located. No individuals were located at the Riverdale residence. Investigators and allied personnel completed the search and secured the evidence at the location.
The operation involved the coordinated efforts of the,
- Stanislaus Special Investigations Unit
- Stanislaus Sheriff’s Office Investigations Unit
- Turlock Police Department
- Fresno County Sheriff’s Office
- Sacramento Area Intelligence Narcotics Team (SAINT)
- Kern County High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (KC-HIDTA)
- Fresno Multi-Agency Gang and Narcotic Enforcement Team (MAGEC)
- California Department of Corrections & Rehabilitation Special Services Unit (CDCR-SSU)
- Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA)
- Homeland Security Investigations (HSI)
- Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI)
The Stanislaus County Sheriff’s Office would like to extend its sincere appreciation to all participating agencies for their assistance, professionalism, and dedication throughout this investigation. The cooperation and collective efforts of these personnel were instrumental in ensuring the safe and successful completion of today's operation. These partnerships continue to play a critical role in addressing large-scale narcotics operations that threaten the safety of our communities.
Disclaimer: Home Depot was not involved in this operation. The buckets were used solely as measuring and weighing containers for the large quantity of narcotics.
Source & photo: Stanislaus County Sheriff's Office
