POLICE SEEK SUSPECT IN METH RING CASE

DeLacruz is how NTF spells it

SAN LUIS OBISPO -- A Grover Beach man believed to be involved in a
methamphetamine ring is being sought by police and the FBI.

Jaustino Lopez, 28, is suspected of involvement in an Oceano-based
operation to manufacture, distribute and sell methamphetamine, interim
Sheriff Nick Marquart announced Friday.

"We believe he's still in the South County," Marquart said.

The announcement came at a joint press conference conducted by Marquart,
Santa Maria FBI supervising Agent Frank Iarossi and Grover Beach Police
Chief Ernie Klevesahl, who is also chairman of the county Narcotics Task
Force board.

A yearlong methamphetamine investigation by the FBI and NTF merged this
week with a sheriff's office investigation. Eight arrests have been made
and a methamphetamine manufacturing lab in California Valley was raided
Wednesday.

The three men took a tough stance against methamphetamine, saying its
growing popularity exacts a great cost from families and the community. The
stimulant can cause violence, hallucinations and paranoia, but appeals to a
broad range of users.

"When you have 12 and 13-year-olds using it as a diet pill, you have an
epidemic," Klevesahl said.

The arrests and the raid on the lab are intended as a clear signal of their
continuing vigilance against drugs, they said. They believe other drug
operations may try to fill the void.

"We're not going to stand for this as police officers," Iarossi said.

Seven vehicles have been seized along with $153,000 in cash this week.

About 11 pounds of methamphetamine were confiscated Wednesday during an
undercover operation at the San Luis Obispo County Airport. That amount has
a street value of about $300,000.

The methamphetamine operation in California Valley is believed to have been
capable of producing 20 to 30 pounds of the stimulant a week. Marquart said
at least 10 pounds are believed to have been sold each week in the county
from that operation.

"This is not some small-time operation," Iarossi said. Federal charges are
being sought against six suspects.

Juan Villa Baza, 28, of Oceano is believed to be the leader of the
methamphetamine operation. He was arrested Tuesday at the airport along
with Rafael Gomez, 27, of Oceano and Larry Alvarez, 39, a transient.

Arrested at other locations Tuesday were Susana Ruiz DeLacruz, 35, of
Oceano; Robert Gerald Clarke, 35, of Cayucos; Alphonso Rojas Bello, 28, of
Grover Beach, and Amber Harris, 18, of Arroyo Grande.

Jorge Rojas Bello, 29, of Grover Beach was arrested late Tuesday on
suspicion of selling methamphetamine. He's being held at County Jail. Bail
has been set at $500,000.

Harris, who is suspected of maintaining a place where drugs are used or
sold and possession of marijuana and drug paraphernalia, was released from
County Jail on bail.

Baza, Gomez, DeLacruz and Clarke faces charges of conspiring to distribute
methamphetamine and aiding and abetting the distribution of
methamphetamine. Alvarez and Alphonso Rojas Bello are suspected of
conspiring to sell methamphetamine.

Baza, Gomez, DeLacruz, Alvarez and Bello are being held at the Metropolitan
Detention Center in Los Angeles without bail while indictments are sought
from a federal grand jury. Clarke was released on $10,000 bail, according
to Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeffrey Friedman.

The six suspects were arraigned in U.S. District Court in Los Angeles. The
case against them will be presented to a grand jury by Aug. 26. Any who are
indicted will appear in court Aug. 31, he said.

The investigation is continuing and will attempt to determine whether the
drug operation was part of a larger ring, Klevesahl said.

Jamie Hurly covers San Luis Obispo County for the Telegram-Tribune. Story
ideas and news tips can be e-mailed to her at jhurly@telegram-tribune.com.

Checked-by: Mike Gogulski