3 arrests in meth raid

Men tied to major operation
By Wes Woods II, Staff Writer
Inland Valley Daily Bulletin
Photo by Mediha Fejzagic DiMartino/Staff photographer
Article Launched:04/11/2007 01:00:00 AM PDT

ONTARIO - A man accused of helping distribute meth in a widescale operation and two other men arrested on suspicion of conspiracy are expected to be charged in Los Angeles County today.

Long Beach police arrested Guadalupe Espinoza, 32, on Monday at his Ontario home in the 800 block of Lassen Avenue, said Long Beach police Sgt. Paul LeBaron.

The others arrested were Francisco Zepeda, 31, who lived with Espinoza; and Angel Cruz Valdominos, 22, of Tijuana, Mexico, who was arrested when he drove away from the home.

Police arrived around 4 p.m. Monday to follow their investigation into meth distribution, and Ontario police assisted in the operation, LeBaron said.

More than $100,000 was seized from vehicles outside Espinoza's home, police said. Also seized was more than a pound of methamphetamine.

LeBaron said the men were part of a large-scale meth organization.

Espinoza had lived in Ontario at least six months and rented a home in the neighborhood with his girlfriend and her children, LeBaron said.

Espinoza bought meth in bulk from Mexican sources that was "extremely pure," LeBaron said.