Six Charged in ICE-led Probe that Nets Record California Heroin Seizure

Street value of drugs found in Anaheim home estimated at up to $6 million

SANTA ANA, Californa - Six suspects are in custody today in connection with an investigation led by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) that culminated Wednesday night with the recovery of more than 120 pounds of brown heroin from an Orange County home, the largest seizure of Mexican heroin in California history.

The six defendants in the case, including four men from Mexico and two Anaheim women, appeared in federal court here yesterday where they are charged with possession of narcotics with intent to distribute, a violation that carries a maximum penalty of life in prison. The United States Attorney for the Central District of California is prosecuting the case.

The arrests and record heroin seizure came after ICE agents in San Diego received a tip from U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers at the port of entry in San Ysidro about a possible heroin smuggling scheme. ICE, aided by agents from the Drug Enforcement Administration and officers from the Irvine and Anaheim police departments, traced the drugs to an Anaheim home at 1454 West Chevy Chase Drive. Wednesday night, authorities searched the residence, seizing the cache of heroin, along with more than 30 pounds of marijuana and three pounds of a substance believed to be methamphetamine.