A total of 33 defendants have been charged on federal charges of possessing and distributing methamphetamine as part of operation ‘Red Menace’
The East County Regional Gang Task Force is asking for the public’s help in locating three fugitives wanted on federal charges as part of a year-long investigation into drug trafficking.
Investigators have dubbed the operation “Red Menace.” It focuses on 33 suspects accused of possessing and distributing methamphetamine.
As of right now, 30 out of 33 suspects have been arrested in connection with operation Red Menace and 31 firearms have been seized, officials said.
The suspects were arrested across 16 locations in San Diego County during pre-dawn raids on Tuesday when about 150 federal state and local law enforcement officers working with the Gang Task Force served federal arrest search and seizure warrants.
During the operation, officers seized 31 pounds of meth with an estimated street value of $347,200, a pound of cocaine worth $12,800 and $200,000 in cash. The 31 firearms seized in the search included an AR-15 rifle, a Glock semi-automatic pistol and five silencers.
Officers also discovered indoor marijuana growing operations inside two apartments in Spring Valley.
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The year-long investigation leading to the bust involved federal wiretraps, undercover drug buys and extensive surveillance, officials said. Many of the suspects in the Red Menace operation are documented gang members or associates.
“This was an investigation into a Skyline gang and that led to several different branches, and drug distribution within that gang and that led to several different branches,” explained federal prosecutor Aaron Clark.
As of Wednesday night, three suspects in connection to this operation remain at large.
Officials are searching for Sarat Sek, 28; Rosie Corrales, 28; and Stephanie Cleveland, 43. The suspects are pictured above from left to right. Anyone with information on the whereabouts of these suspects is asked to contact the FBI at (858) 565-1255.
The U.S. Attorney calls the operation an effort to keep neighborhoods out of the clutches of gang members who deal in drugs and stash high-powered weapons in their homes, next to unwitting neighbors.
So far, 25 of the 33 suspected drug traffickers have been arraigned. The 25 defendants appeared in federal court Wednesday and pleaded not guilty to charges of possessing and distributing methamphetamine.
