Law enforcement task force takes down international drug trafficking ring operating in Southern California

A task force comprised of federal, state and local law enforcement officials conducted a sting operation on an international drug trafficking ring that transported drugs across the United States and Canada by way of Southern California. 

Thirty search warrants were served across Los Angeles simultaneously as part of Operation Dead Hand, Los Angeles Police Department officials said, which led to 19 suspects being federally indicted in California. 

Since the start of Operation Dead Hand in 2022, authorities have seized 845 kilograms of methamphetamine, 951 kilograms of cocaine, 20 kilograms of fentanyl and four kilograms of heroin. A haul worth an estimated $16 million to $28 million in the U.S. 

Traffickers, under the command of alleged kingpin and Canadian national Guramrit Sidhu, used a wide network of drug suppliers connected to Mexican cartels and even an associate of the Italian mafia in Montréal, according to U.S. Attorney for the Central District of California Martin Estrada. 

Drug distributors and brokers in Los Angeles would work alongside a team of truck drivers who were tasked with taking the contraband to Canada, where some drugs are worth much more on the street than they are in the states. 

“A kilogram of methamphetamine in Canada can sell for 20 times more that it would sell in Los Angeles,” Estrada said at a press conference Tuesday. “These conspirators stood to make tens of millions of dollars.” 

Investigators, who also seized weapons and cash, stressed that collaboration was the key to taking the drug trafficking ring down. 

“Transnational organized crime networks are becoming more sophisticated and operate without regard to our international boundaries,” said Los Angeles Police Department Assistant Chief Blake Chow. “[They] bring illicit drugs that devastate the most vulnerable people in our communities: those who are addicted to substances.” 

Of the 19 suspects federally indicted in California, 12 are in custody; the remaining seven are still on the run. 

The seven fugitives on the run were identified by authorities as:

• Angel Larry Sandoval
• Corell Garcia
• Eduardo Carvajal
• Esteban Sinhue Mercado
• John Soto
• Bryan Valenzuela
• Jesus Ruiz, Jr.

Federal law enforcement officials would not comment on whether the sting was tied to the alleged drug-related deaths of six men in El Mirage on Jan. 23, only saying that they would “support their partners with their investigations.” 

Anyone with information regarding the whereabouts of the seven fugitives is urged to contact the FBI.