LOS ANGELES
Two Long Beach men were arrested on an 11-count federal grand jury indictment charging them with selling fentanyl and methamphetamine out of a purported auto upholstery shop in Gardena, officials stated.
Hector Valle, 48, and Efren Sanchez, 52, were arrested
Valle and Sanchez are charged with conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute fentanyl and methamphetamine, and with being felons in possession of firearms.
Valle is also charged with possession with intent to distribute cocaine, and possession of firearms in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.
“Those who traffic in fentanyl are well aware that they are profiting by putting others’ lives at risk,” said U.S. Attorney Martin Estrada. “It is important that those bad actors be held accountable. I commend our law enforcement partners with the FBI and Ventura County Sheriff’s Office for their diligence in taking these dangerous drugs and firearms off our streets.”
According to the indictment that a grand jury returned on July 17, Valle and Sanchez on June 9, 2023, sold nearly a pound of methamphetamine and 49.95 grams of fentanyl.
During search warrants executed at three locations, law enforcement seized more than 14.3 kilograms (31 pounds) of fentanyl, approximately 424 grams of methamphetamine, approximately 675 grams of cocaine, six firearms, 117 rounds of ammunition, and approximately $21,700 cash.
Law enforcement also seized several packages of fentanyl, methamphetamine, and cocaine stowed away in a vending machine at a purported auto upholstery shop called “Stitchn’ Time,” Valle’s purported place of business.
If convicted of all charges, each defendant would face a statutory maximum sentence of life in federal prison and a mandatory minimum sentence of at least 10 years in federal prison.
Both defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty.
The FBI is investigating this matter. The Ventura County Sheriff’s Office provided assistance.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Matt Coe-Odess of the General Crimes Section is prosecuting this case.