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ATWATER, CA - A complex investigation led to a large cocaine seizure at
a residence in the 2800 block of Valley Drive in Atwater.
On Thursday, at about 5:00 PM, law enforcement agents from several
jurisdictions converged on the Atwater residence. A search warrant was
obtained for the home and, as agents were preparing that warrant;
several vehicles were seen leaving the residence. Several males were
detained in three separate vehicles that agents followed from the home.
One of those vehicles, a van distinctly marked with Aguilar Carpet
Cleaning, was driven by 35-year-old Atwater resident Angel Aguilar, the
owner of the company. A search of Aguilar's Dodge van led agents to the
recovery of four individually packaged "kilos" of cocaine with an
estimated combined street value of $104,000. Each kilogram was stamped
with a unique insignia commonly associated with organized Mexican drug
cartels.
Jesus Zamora, a 29-year-old Sacramento resident, was arrested in
Chowchilla after agents followed his vehicle from the residence. A
third vehicle was stopped in Winton where Manuel Bucio, a 30-year-old,
was also arrested. His city of origin was not immediately known. All
three males arrested are Mexican citizens.
During the service of the search warrant at the home, an illegally
modified loaded shotgun was located during a search of a vehicle that
was parked on the property.
Agencies participating in this investigation were: Stanislaus Drug
Enforcement Agency, Sacramento Police, and the Sacramento Department of
Justice Bureau of Narcotics Enforcement, High Intensity Drug Trafficking
Area, the Stanislaus County Sheriff's Department SWAT team, and the
California Multi-Jurisdictional Methamphetamine Enforcement Team.
Thirty agents were involved with the investigation and arrest of those
responsible.
Agents believe this to be the largest cocaine seizure in the Modesto /
Merced area in the past several years. It is also believed the bust
will significantly cripple the availability of cocaine in the greater
Modesto and Merced area.
All three males were booked Merced County Jail for possession with
intent to distribute cocaine and conspiracy; both felonies. Angel
Aguilar was also arrested for transportation of a controlled substance.
For more information regarding this press release please contact Modesto
Police Sgt. Brian Findlen at (209) 652-1386.
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