Yuba County, California – A massive undercover investigation has taken down a sophisticated drug-trafficking network operating across multiple California counties, culminating in fourteen arrests and the seizure of large quantities of methamphetamine and fentanyl-laced counterfeit pills. The Yuba County Sheriff’s Office confirmed the results of the operation, which investigators say targeted distributors with ties to major transnational cartels.
The year-long probe, known as Operation Crystal River, began in July 2024 and focused on Jose Garcia-Avalos of Yuba City, who authorities identified as a significant supplier of controlled substances in the region. Over months of surveillance, undercover work, and federal coordination, detectives uncovered multiple interconnected organizations transporting narcotics throughout Northern California.
How the investigation began
According to investigators, the operation started when detectives began monitoring Garcia-Avalos, believed to be moving substantial quantities of methamphetamine and fentanyl. As the investigation expanded, law enforcement found networks linked directly to the Sinaloa Cartel and the Jalisco New Generation Cartel, two of the most powerful drug-trafficking groups in the world.
Officials said this discovery shifted the case from a county-focused narcotics probe to a statewide organized-crime takedown. Federal agencies then joined the effort, coordinating surveillance across several jurisdictions.
Coordinated raids across Northern California
In October 2025, officers executed a series of coordinated federal search warrants across Yuba, Sutter, and Butte counties, targeting stash houses, distribution points, and residences connected to the trafficking ring. Detectives said the simultaneous raids were necessary because of the number of individuals involved and the amount of narcotics believed to be in circulation.
The operation resulted in fourteen arrests, each now facing federal drug-trafficking charges tied to the distribution of methamphetamine and fentanyl pills.
Full list of suspects arrested
Authorities identified the following individuals as part of the trafficking network:
- Jose Garcia-Avalos, 36, Yuba City
- Octavio Hinojosa-Guzman, 43, Yuba City
- Elmer Montiel-Romero, 21, Yuba City
- Hector De Jesus Mejia-Velasquez, 25, Yuba City
- Juan Munoz-Guzman, 28, Yuba City
- Leonel Abrego, 38, Live Oak
- Lloyd Steve Lister, 53, Yuba City
- Lyle Wayne Cooper, 53, Olivehurst
- Brandi Emerson, 32, Marysville
- Leon James Whiteley, 50, Olivehurst
- Brian Sedgwick, 63, Marysville
- Vanessa Flores-Gomez, 27, Marysville
- Jessica Pack, 36, Weaverville
- Coy Mobley, 53, Weaverville
Massive drug seizure: meth, fentanyl pills, and a conversion lab
At the conclusion of Operation Crystal River, investigators seized more than 500 pounds of methamphetamine and approximately 135,000 counterfeit M-30 Oxycodone pills containing fentanyl. Detectives described the haul as one of the largest narcotics seizures in Yuba County’s recent history.
Officials also reported dismantling a methamphetamine conversion laboratory in Southern California, which they say played a central role in supplying the network’s distribution chain. Labs like these are used to process raw materials into finished methamphetamine, making them critical nodes in large-scale trafficking operations.
Why fentanyl pill trafficking is especially dangerous
Counterfeit M-30 pills have become one of the deadliest drug threats in the state. These tablets are often pressed to resemble legitimate Oxycodone but contain potent — and sometimes lethal — levels of fentanyl. Public-health officials warn that a single pill can be enough to cause a fatal overdose, especially among teens and inexperienced users.
Law enforcement agencies say the scale of the seized pills indicates the network was moving product capable of causing widespread harm across multiple counties.
Officials emphasize community safety
The Yuba County Sheriff’s Office noted that operations like Crystal River are designed not only to stop trafficking but also to reduce the flow of fentanyl that contributes to overdoses statewide. Officials said community tips, surveillance, and interagency cooperation played an essential role in dismantling the network.
“Large-scale operations like this prevent thousands of doses of deadly fentanyl from reaching our streets,” investigators said in their public briefing.
What happens next
All fourteen suspects now face federal prosecution. Additional arrests are possible as investigators continue reviewing evidence collected from the raids, including digital communications, financial records, and trafficking ledgers.
Authorities encourage residents to remain aware of counterfeit pills in circulation and to report any suspected drug-trafficking activity to local law enforcement.
Have you seen rising concerns about drug activity or fentanyl risks in your California community? Share your experiences in the comments below.
