Homeland Security Busts Meth Ring in Stockton

STOCKTON-

Four people were arrested in a Department of Homeland Security-led drug investigation Thursday in San Joaquin County.

The four men are believed to be involved in the distribution of high-grade meth.

The investigation started in March after Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Homeland Security agents got a tip about a drug ring operating out of Stockton and Lodi. Homeleand Security say undercover agents bought drugs from the suspects two separate times.

Lab tests revealed the drugs to be 99 percent pure D-methamphetamine-hydrochloride, the department said.

In Thursday’s bust, agents recovered three handguns, two of which had been stolen, about $15,000 and a quarter-pound of meth. Agents also seized small amounts of marijuana and cocaine.

The four suspects appeared in court Friday.

By Jason Anderson
Record Staff Writer
December 01, 2012 12:00 AM
STOCKTON - Three Stockton men and one Lodi man were arrested Thursday in a series of raids targeting a suspected drug distribution ring.

Federal and local investigators executed the raids in San Joaquin County and the San Jose area Thursday morning, serving nine search warrants that led to the four arrests and thousands of dollars in cash, drug and weapons seizures, officials said. Authorities said they arrested Thomas Orozco, 31, of Stockton, the alleged ringleader of the organization; Vincent Camarillo, 25, of Stockton; Theodore Ohagen, 21, of Stockton; and Jeffrey Lamendola, 50, of Lodi.

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Homeland Security investigators executed the raids with assistance from the Lodi Police Department, the Manteca Police Department and the San Joaquin County Metropolitan Narcotics Task Force. Authorities said they seized $15,000 in cash, more than a quarter-pound of methamphetamine, small quantities of cocaine and marijuana, and three pistols, two of which were stolen.

According to an unsealed criminal complaint filed in U.S. District Court, the search locations included Orozco's residence on Old Ranch Circle in Stockton; Lamendola's residence on North Thornton Road in Lodi; and Ohagen's residence on Estate Drive in Stockton. Additional searches were carried out at homes on East 9th Street in Stockton, East Hogan Lane in Lodi, North School Street in Lodi and two residences on Highway 99 in Acampo.