DRUG BUST FOLLOWED YEAR OF SURVEILLANCE

Local and federal law enforcement agencies spent over a year conducting
surveillance and using confidential informants to build a case against a
Delano-based ring of alleged drug traffickers arrested in a recent
large-scale bust.

Authorities arrested 23 people and reportedly seized automobiles worth tens
of thousands of dollars in the May 31 operation targeting the Medrano
family. A forfeiture task force is now working to confiscate the homes used
in drug production and distribution.

The family has a history of importing tar heroin, cocaine and marijuana
from Mexico, according to court records.

The organization branched into manufacturing and the wholesale distribution
of methamphetamine, becoming a major player in the Central Valley,
according to affidavits supporting criminal complaints against the Medranos
filed in U.S. District Court in Fresno.

The organization's manufacturing operation was in Tulare County, where the
rural landscape meant law enforcement was sparse, confidential sources told
authorities.

Most of the organizations' leadership was based in Delano, although at
least three homes in Bakersfield were used for arranging sales and
distribution, court documents state.

Court records show authorities were using confidential informants to report
on and buy drugs from the organization from early 1999.

Drug Enforcement Agency statistics show more than 90 percent of
methamphetamine in the United States is produced in California, with more
than half of that made in the Central Valley.

In March, the U.S. District Court authorized a wire-tap operation and
officials soon began following phone conversations in at least two houses
believed to be the center of the Medrano organization.

Because of the long-term conspiracy investigation, authorities were able to
pin down the key people in the organization, not just the lower-level
dealers and users, Kern County Sheriff's Cmdr. Hal Chealander said.

"Everyone arrested fit into the Medrano organization. They were involved in
the drug trade for profit," Chealander said.

Fourteen people arrested May 31 are being prosecuted in federal court on
charges of conspiracy to make and distribute methamphetamine.

They face a maximum sentence of life in prison and $4 million in fines. The
mandatory minimum prison term for the charge is 10 years.

Criminal complaints filed in Kern County Municipal Court and U.S. District
Court in Fresno detail the charges faced by all 23 people arrested and the
roles these people allegedly played in the drug operation.

Xavier Medrano, 31, of Delano, is considered the organization's financier.
He allegedly set up the methamphetamine "cooks" and controlled distribution.

Javier Medrano, 40, of Delano, is believed to be a major distributor and
involved in laundering profits.

Ernesto Antonio Medrano, 22 of Delano, is considered a major distributor
and is believed to be the son of Javier Medrano.

Luis Chapa, 31, runs Lou's Barber Shop in Delano, which was considered a
distribution center for methamphetamine. Chapa allegedly brokered the deals.

Artemio Heredia, 23, of Delano, allegedly transported methamphetamine and
collected money for Bakersfield based-distributor Albert Briseno, who
branched out from the Medrano organization, according to Chealander.

Mario Salamanca, 60, of Delano, allegedly placed orders and sold
methamphetamine.

Jessie Pompa Jr., 30, of Pixley, is believed to have procured the chemicals
used in making methamphetamine.

Pete Santiago, 29, of Delano, was allegedly used to hide and transport drugs.

Jorge Silva, 24, of Delano, is believed to have been a runner for the
organization before beginning to sell methamphetamine.

Randy Evans, 43, of Delano, is believed to be a co-conspirator in the
pseudoephedrine/ephedrine extraction, a first step in the manufacturing of
methamphetamine.

Raul Medrano, 31, of Porterville, is believed to have been involved in the
manufacturing of methamphetamine.

Leticia Medrano-Ramirez, 34, of Pixley, is believed to have stored
pseudoephedrine pills and drug proceeds at her house. Agents found two
portable stoves and $45,000 in cash at her house.

Juan Jose Gomez, 30, of Bakersfield, allegedly bought pounds of
methamphetamine from distributors.

Keith Seriales and Guadalupe Gonzalez of Visalia are believed to be
involved in manufacturing. Officers confiscated 19 firearms, five pounds of
methamphetamine, red phosphorus and a case of pseudoephedrine tablets -
materials used in the first phase of methamphetamine production.

The remaining eight people arrested on May 31 are being prosecuted in state
court on charges ranging from possession of a drug to conspiracy to child
endangerment.

George Medina Avelar, 31, of Delano, is believed to have been involved in
distribution. He is charged with conspiracy.

Donna Holquin, 40, of Delano, Lydia Herrera, 40 of Bakersfield, and Randy
Garrison, 43, of Delano are all believed to have been drug customers who
bought wholesale from Javier Medrano. They also face charges of conspiracy.

Monica Garcia, 25, and Ramon Perez, 22, both of Delano, are charged with
possessing and distributing methamphetamine.

Angel Luis Ramos, 32, and Mary Jane Medina, 26, both of Delano, are
believed to have kept chemicals at their house for the Medrano
organization. Agents found 60 pounds of red phosphorous and 13 five-gallon
cans of Freon. Ramos and Medina are charged with distributing and
possessing of methamphetamine for sale.