Federal agents arrested 16 members and associates of Puente-13, a San Gabriel Valley street gang that authorities say is linked to the Mexican Mafia, on criminal complaints accusing them of kidnapping, two shootings, illegal gun sales, and trafficking in narcotics including methamphetamine, cocaine, fentanyl, and carfentanil, officials announced Wednesday.
Prosecutors say 20 defendants are charged in the case with offenses that include meth distribution, conspiracy to commit kidnapping, possession with intent to distribute fentanyl, possession of a machine gun, and possessing a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking. Nine defendants were expected to make their initial appearances Friday in US District Court in Los Angeles, with seven others expected to appear Saturday. Three defendants remained at large, and one additional defendant was already in state custody, authorities said.
Among those arrested were Victor Sanchez, 24, of San Bernardino; Isaiah Castro, 24, of Azusa; Isaac Estrada-Frost, 21, of Rosemead; Heather Covarrubias, 40, of Diamond Bar; Dominic Ornelas, 23, of Rancho Cucamonga; and Adrian Lopez, 25, of La Puente, according to federal authorities.
Investigators said they seized roughly 10 pounds of methamphetamine, thousands of pills containing fentanyl and carfentanil, fentanyl powder, 71 firearms — including 14 rifles — along with a machine-gun conversion device, ammunition, body armor, and about $9,500 in cash.
Court filings describe Puente-13 as a La Puente-based gang that, authorities allege, profits from controlling drug distribution in its territory and enforces that control through violence and threats, while funneling proceeds to the Mexican Mafia prison gang.
The complaints outline multiple alleged acts, including a December 2022 shooting at a Covina residence involving rival gang members in which prosecutors say Ornelas left behind a shoe that later helped investigators identify him.
In July 2023, authorities allege Lopez, Covarrubias, and others kidnapped two people to recover items they believed were taken in a burglary; one victim was released, while the other escaped after being severely beaten.
Another shooting tied to the investigation occurred in May 2025 outside a La Puente liquor store, where prosecutors say Estrada-Frost yelled racial slurs at someone he mistook for a rival gang member and fired at the person’s car as it drove away, striking a door.
Other allegations include the sale of dozens of firearms and trafficking in pound quantities of methamphetamine and large numbers of fentanyl and carfentanil pills, authorities said.
Defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty. If convicted, nine of those arrested Friday could face up to life in federal prison, prosecutors said.