News Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 11, 2005

DEA and Fontana PD Dismantled Fontana Gang

On Wednesday, March 23, 2005 , a seven month narcotics investigation conducted jointly between the Drug Enforcement Administration’s (DEA) and the Fontana Police Department successfully culminated with the execution of 14 search and arrest warrants across the greater Los Angeles , Orange County and Riverside County . Seized during the course of this investigation were:

• 60 Arrests (26 federal/34 state)
• 15 Search Warrants
• 26.61 Pounds of Crystal Methamphetamine
• 35.30 Pounds of Marijuana
• 88.63 Grams of Cocaine
• 22.79 Grams of Crack Cocaine
• 14.39 Grams of Black Tar Heroin
• 443.60 Grams of MSM Cutting Agent
• 31 Firearms
• $27,793 U.S. Currency
• 4 Vehicles Seized

During the summer of 2004, the Fontana Police Department’s Narcotics Unit requested the assistance of the Drug Enforcement Administration’s Mobile Enforcement Team (MET). In September of 2004, DEA began what was originally a two month deployment with FPD narcotics detectives. The focus of the deployment and investigation was members of the “Hard Times Gang.” The Fontana Hard Times Gang” was known to be involved in the illegal trafficking of drugs and weapons. Various members of this gang were also known to be involved with the commission of violent crimes including but not limited to homicide.

On 3-17-05 during the early morning hours, the combined DEA and FPD taskforce, assisted by Rialto PD narcotics and SWAT teams from Colton PD, Fontana PD, as well as Orange County ’s RNSP narcotics team served multiple search warrants at various locations. During the service of the warrants, 9 individuals were arrested either under federal indictments or federal arrest warrants for their roles and involvement in drug trafficking. During follow up investigations, FPD narcotics detectives arrested 4 additional indicted individuals. The arrested individuals include the command and control personnel of the organization: Christian Sanchez ( Rialto ), his mother and father, Clemencies and Candela Rio Sanchez and several of his associates identified as Javier Torres, Richard Herring, Anthony Serrano and Joe Guerra.

On Tuesday, April 12 th, 2005 , at 1000 hours, the FPD and DEA taskforce will conduct a press conference for news media who may be interested in covering the story. The conference will include displays of recovered weapons, vehicles seized and other items of interest.

Please forward any questions regarding the press conference to Sergeant William Mergence @ (909) 350-7713 Monday- Thursday between 0700 and 1630 or Special Agent Jose Martinez at (213) 621-6714.