A media release issued by the Yuba County Sheriff’s Office announces the results of “Operation Crystal River,” a yearlong investigation that led to 14 arrests and the dismantling of multiple drug trafficking organizations tied to major cartel networks. Photo courtesy Yuba County Sheriff's Department

YUBA COUNTY, CA (MPG) - In July 2024, the Yuba County Sheriff’s Office, in partnership with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), launched an investigation into Jose Garcia-Avalos of Yuba City, who was identified as a key distributor of large quantities of controlled substances throughout Yuba County and across California.

Over the course of a yearlong, comprehensive investigation, the Yuba County Sheriff’s Office and the DEA uncovered multiple drug trafficking organizations tied to Garcia-Avalos. These organizations were responsible for distributing significant quantities of narcotics sourced directly from the Sinaloa Cartel and the Jalisco New Generation Cartel.

In October, coordinated teams from several law enforcement agencies executed multiple federal search warrants simultaneously across Yuba, Sutter and Butte counties. This coordinated operation resulted in the arrest of 14 individuals on federal drug trafficking charges.

The following individuals were indicted pursuant to this investigation.

Jose Garcia-Avalos, 36, of Yuba City; Octavio Hinojosa-Guzman, 43, of Yuba City; Elmer Montiel-Romero, 21, of Yuba City; Hector De Jesus, Mejia-Velasquez, 25, of Yuba City; Juan Munoz-Guzman, 28, of Yuba City; Leonel Abrego, 38, of Live Oak; Lloyd Steve Lister, 53, of Yuba City; Lyle Wayne Cooper, 53, of Olivehurst; Brandi Emerson, 32, of Marysville; Leon James Whiteley, 50, of Olivehurst; Brian Sedgwick, 63, of Marysville

Vanessa Flores-Gomez, 27, of Marysville; Jessica Pack, 36, of Weaverville; Coy Mobley, 53, of Weaverville.

At the conclusion of the investigation, authorities had seized more than 500 pounds of methamphetamine and approximately 135,000 counterfeit M-30 Oxycodone pills containing fentanyl. Investigators also located and dismantled a methamphetamine conversion laboratory operating in Southern California.

This joint operation underscores the ongoing commitment of local, state, and federal partners to disrupt and dismantle drug trafficking networks and protect communities nationwide.