MADERA COUNTY - In July of 2022, the Madera Narcotic Enforcement Team, the High-Intensity Investigation Team, and the Fresno Drug Enforcement Administration launched a joint investigation into the drug trafficking activities of Ernesto Beltran.

During the course of the investigation, detectives learned that Beltran was part of a large-scale, Mexico-based drug trafficking organization responsible for the importation, manufacturing, and distribution of methamphetamine throughout the state of California and neighboring states.

Investigators identified a large group of individuals involved in importing, transporting, manufacturing, and distributing methamphetamine, heroin, and fentanyl. The investigation revealed that methamphetamine in both liquid and solid form was transported into the United States through various points of entry. Once in the US, the liquid methamphetamine was converted to crystal methamphetamine at what is known as “ice recovery labs.” Once processed into solid form, it was distributed throughout California, including the County of Madera.

Throughout the investigation, electronic intercepts were implemented to identify when drugs were being transported. Several traffic stops were orchestrated during the operation, resulting in the seizure of more than 230 pounds of methamphetamine.

In a separate incident, detectives coordinated the interception of a vehicle coming across the border from Mexico with over 70 pounds of methamphetamine concealed in a spare tire.

During the course of this investigation, a methamphetamine conversion lab was discovered in Ducor, CA, resulting in the seizure of 500 pounds of finished product and 500 pounds in liquid form.

Beginning on October 26, 2022, search warrants were served in Madera, Fresno, Merced, and Tulare Counties. While serving these warrants, investigators located three additional clandestine laboratories and made multiple arrests. A total of four secret methamphetamine labs responsible for converting liquid methamphetamine to crystal methamphetamine were identified during this investigation; 1 in Madera County, 2 in Tulare County, and 1 in Fresno County.

At the time of this release, detectives have made nearly 30 arrests related to crimes discovered during this investigation.

This case is the product of a joint investigation by the regional Madera Narcotic Enforcement Team (MADNET), comprised of detectives from the Madera County Sheriff’s Office, Chowchilla Police Department, Madera County Probation, the Madera Police Department, and the California Highway Patrol, assisted by officers from the High Impact Investigation Team (HIIT), and the Fresno Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA).

Classified as “Operation Trifecta,” this is the largest narcotics seizure in Madera County’s history. The operation has resulted in the seizure of more than 1,300 pounds of methamphetamine, 4 kilograms of heroin, and 2 kilograms of fentanyl. To quantify further, this equates to over 5,000,000 individual dosage units of methamphetamine, 10,000 dosage units of heroin, and 600,000 potentially fatal doses of fentanyl. 7 firearms have also been recovered.

The arrests of individuals associated with the organization have produced various felony and misdemeanor charges, including the transportation and sale of methamphetamine, manufacture of methamphetamine, child endangerment, and conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine. Bail amounts range from $500,000 to $10,000,000.

Sheriff Tyson Pogue states, “This is a monumental day for public safety in Madera County. The arrests in this case, along with the closure of several processing labs and the seizure of substantial amounts of drugs from their operation, will undoubtedly significantly impact the safety of the residents of Madera County and the state of California. We are thankful for the collaboration between our allied agencies to navigate and conclude this investigation successfully. This operation would not have yielded such positive results without the teamwork between the Madera County Sheriff’s Office, the Madera County District Attorney's Office, Chowchilla Police Department, Madera County Probation, the California Highway Patrol, the California Department of Justice, Fresno Drug Enforcement Administration, US Customs and Border Patrol, Fresno County Sheriff’s Office, Merced County Sheriff’s Office, Kings County Sheriff’s Office, and the Turlock Police Department. This historical investigation should be a compelling indication of the relentless efforts we dedicate to taking a stand against drugs and the criminal activity they provoke in Madera County.”

The findings from this case will now be transferred to the Madera County District Attorney’s Office for prosecution.