Five Indicted on Drug Trafficking Charges in California
This week, five individuals from Mexico were indicted by federal authorities after a secret methamphetamine laboratory was uncovered in Northern California. Authorities seized close to 3,000 pounds of meth during the operation.
A federal grand jury announced charges against Luis Reyna Carrillo, 33, Mariana Vanessa Mendoza Camacho, 33, Juan Jesús Manriquez Diaz, 31, Lo Rosales, 44, and Manuel Juan Madrid Perez, 38. They face a 10-count indictment for manufacturing and distributing methamphetamine, along with conspiracy and weapons-related crimes.
Attorney General Pamela Bondi stated, “These individuals allegedly ran clandestine labs on U.S. soil, producing substantial amounts of harmful substances that endanger our communities. This illegal operation has been broken up, and we are committed to protecting the public from the repercussions of lax border policies.”
Carrillo and Camacho entered the U.S. in March 2021 and received notices for a future court appearance. Diaz was expelled from the U.S. in 2018, while Rosales was deported in 2024.
A law enforcement investigation started in October 2025 to look into a suspected drug trafficking organization in a remote part of Calaveras County. Investigators identified Carrillo and his associates as key players in this operation.
The investigation resulted in coordinated raids on February 27, 2026, targeting three locations tied to the suspects in Valley Springs, Turlock, and Modesto.
During these searches, authorities found a meth lab in Calaveras County where they recovered approximately 1,430 pounds of meth, alongside 1,270 pounds of suspicious partially processed meth. In Turlock, another 300 pounds of meth, nine firearms, and ammunition were seized. A Modesto residence yielded 2 pounds of meth, 107 pounds of processed marijuana, 1,900 marijuana plants, and three more firearms.
Carrillo and Diaz are both prohibited from having firearms and ammunition due to their illegal immigrant status, while Perez cannot have them due to his criminal history. All five defendants are charged with conspiracy for the manufacture and distribution of meth and possession with intent to distribute.
Carrillo, Diaz, and Perez face additional accusations concerning firearm possession linked to drug trafficking activities. Carrillo has also been charged with illegal firearm possession as a non-citizen, and Diaz faces charges related to ammunition possession. Perez may receive stiffer penalties because of his past felony convictions.
If found guilty of drug trafficking, each defendant could face a minimum of 10 years and up to life in prison, along with fines that could reach $10 million. Carrillo, Diaz, and Perez are at risk of further fines if convicted on firearm-related charges. The final sentencing will depend on federal guidelines and other legal factors.
