Five individuals from Mexico faced federal charges this week, accused of drug trafficking and weapons violations after authorities uncovered a hidden methamphetamine production facility in Northern California. This discovery led to the confiscation of almost 3,000 pounds of the illegal substance, as reported by officials.
The Department of Justice announced that a federal grand jury issued a 10-count indictment on Thursday against Luis Reyna Carrillo, 33, Mariana Vanessa Mendoza Camacho, 33, Juan Jesus Manriquez Diaz, 31, Alvaro Rosales, 44, and Manuel Juan Madrid Perez, 38. These charges include conspiracy to manufacture and distribute methamphetamine, along with several counts of drug trafficking and firearm violations.
“These undocumented individuals allegedly managed a covert laboratory within the United States, producing vast quantities of dangerous drugs aimed at harming our communities,” stated Attorney General Pamela Bondi. “This illegal and covert operation has now been dismantled, and we remain committed to safeguarding Americans from the perilous outcomes of previous open-border policies.”
Carrillo and his spouse, Camacho, entered the United States in March 2021 and were issued a notice to appear in court at a future date. Diaz was deported from the United States in 2018, while Rosales faced deportation in 2024.
Federal authorities confiscated nearly 3,000 pounds of methamphetamine during the raid on the Northern California facility, with five individuals now facing charges related to drug trafficking and weapons offenses. (Department of Justice)
According to court records, in October 2025, law enforcement officials initiated an investigation into a group suspected of producing and distributing methamphetamine in a secluded region of Calaveras County.
Investigators identified Carrillo and his associates as part of a drug trafficking operation responsible for manufacturing and distributing methamphetamine in Calaveras County.
The investigation culminated on Feb. 27, 2026, when multiple agencies executed search warrants at three locations — Valley Springs, Turlock and Modesto — all allegedly connected to Carrillo and his associates.
Federal agents seized nearly 3,000 pounds of meth in a Northern California lab bust, charging five suspects with drug trafficking and weapons offenses. (Department of Justice)
During the searches, investigators discovered a clandestine methamphetamine lab in Calaveras County, where they seized nearly 1,430 pounds of methamphetamine and 1,270 pounds of suspected methamphetamine in a partially processed state.
Authorities also searched two additional residences in Stanislaus County linked to Carrillo and his associates. At a home in Turlock, agents seized an additional 300 pounds of methamphetamine packaged for distribution, nine firearms and multiple magazines and rounds of ammunition.
In Modesto, agents seized two pounds of methamphetamine, 107 pounds of processed marijuana, 1,900 marijuana plants and three firearms.
Federal agents seized nearly 3,000 pounds of meth in a Northern California lab bust, charging five suspects with drug trafficking and weapons offenses. (Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
The DOJ said Carrillo and Diaz are both prohibited from possessing firearms and ammunition because they are illegal aliens, while Perez is also prohibited from having guns and ammunition due to prior felony convictions.
All five defendants — Carrillo, Camacho, Diaz, Rosales and Perez — are charged with conspiracy to manufacture and distribute methamphetamine, as well as possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute.
Carrillo, Diaz and Perez also face additional charges related to possessing firearms in furtherance of drug trafficking crimes.
Carrillo is also charged with illegally possessing a firearm as a noncitizen, while Diaz is accused of unlawfully possessing ammunition.
Perez also faces a charge of being a felon in possession of a firearm due to prior convictions.
If convicted on the drug trafficking charges, Carrillo, Camacho, Diaz, Rosales and Perez each face a mandatory minimum of 10 years in prison and up to life behind bars, along with fines of up to $10 million, according to federal prosecutors.
Carrillo, Diaz and Perez could face additional penalties if convicted on the firearms-related charges.
Perez also faces enhanced penalties due to prior felony convictions.
Any final sentence would be determined by a judge based on federal sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors.
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