Santa Paulans ordered to stand trial for marijuana smuggling, distribution

It is believed that the drug ring has ties to local gangs and had been operating since 1999 or earlier.All are American citizens but have family ties to Mexico; two have criminal records and all four are considered flight risks.The investigation began in March 2000, and has led to 16 arrests and the seizure of two tons of marijuana with an estimated street value of $25 million. The other 12 arrested are considered lower-level dealers, with the four arrested on Oct. 27th believed to be the ringleaders.The marijuana was moved across the U.S.-Mexican border by various methods including “mules” smugglers carrying up to 100-pound makeshift backpacks of drugs and walking across the border in California and Arizona.The marijuana was then trucked to Santa Paula for packaging and distribution. Once packaged, the marijuana, estimated at 12 tons annually, was moved from Santa Paula in campers, motor homes and cars, with some members of the ring using their wives and children to portray an innocent family outing.Investigators believe that the drug ringleaders used fear and intimidation to control lower-level members and even threatened to use violence against investigators.