Bondi says illegal aliens ran secret meth lab seized in California
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Five Mexican citizens were indicted on federal drug trafficking and weapons charges this week after authorities discovered a secret methamphetamine laboratory in Northern California, resulting in the seizure of nearly 3,000 pounds of the drug, authorities said.
The Justice Department said a federal grand jury on Thursday returned a 10-count indictment against Luis Reyna Carrillo, 33, Mariana Vanessa Mendoza Camacho, 33, Juan Jesus Manriquez Diaz, 31, Alvaro Rosales, 44, and Manuel Juan Madrid Perez, 38, charging them with conspiracy to manufacture and distribute methamphetamine, as well as multiple drug trafficking and firearms offenses.
“These illegal aliens allegedly operated a secret laboratory on American soil and produced thousands of pounds of deadly drugs to poison our communities,” said Attorney General Pamela Bondi. he said. “This covert and illegal operation is now over; we will continue to protect Americans from the dangerous consequences of the previous administration’s open border policies.”
Carrillo and her husband, Camacho, arrived in the United States in March 2021 and were given notices to appear in court at a later date. Diaz was expelled from the United States in 2018 and Rosales in 2024.
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Federal agents seized nearly 3,000 pounds of meth during a laboratory raid in Northern California and charged five suspects with drug trafficking and weapons crimes. (Ministry of Justice)
Court documents allege that in October 2025, law enforcement officials began an investigation into an organization suspected of producing and trafficking methamphetamine in a remote area of Calaveras County.
Investigators determined that Carrillo and his associates were part of a drug trafficking operation responsible for the production and distribution of methamphetamine in Calaveras County.
The investigation culminated on February 27, 2026, when multiple agencies executed search warrants at three locations—Valley Springs, Turlock, and Modesto—all allegedly linked to Carrillo and his associates.
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Federal agents seized nearly 3,000 pounds of meth during a laboratory raid in Northern California and charged five suspects with drug trafficking and weapons crimes. (Ministry of Justice)
During the searches, investigators discovered a clandestine methamphetamine laboratory in Calaveras County, where they seized approximately 1,430 pounds of methamphetamine and 1,270 pounds of suspected methamphetamine in a partially processed state.
Authorities also searched two other residences in Stanislaus County associated with Carrillo and his associates. Agents seized an additional 300 pounds of methamphetamine, nine firearms, multiple magazines and ammunition packaged for distribution at a home in Turlock.
In Modesto, agents seized two pounds of methamphetamine, 107 pounds of processed marijuana, 1,900 marijuana plants and three firearms.
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Federal agents seized nearly 3,000 pounds of meth during a laboratory raid in Northern California and charged five suspects with drug trafficking and weapons crimes. (Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
The Justice Department said Carrillo and Diaz are prohibited from possessing firearms and ammunition because they are illegal aliens, while Perez is also prohibited from possessing guns and ammunition because he has prior felony convictions.
All five defendants (Carrillo, Camacho, Diaz, Rosales and Perez) are charged with conspiracy to manufacture and distribute methamphetamine, as well as possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute.
Carrillo, Diaz and Perez also face additional charges of possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking crimes.
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Carrillo is also charged with unlawful possession of a firearm as a noncitizen, while Diaz is also charged with unlawful possession of ammunition.
Perez is also charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm due to previous convictions.
Carrillo, Camacho, Diaz, Rosales and Perez face a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in prison and life behind bars and fines of up to $10 million if convicted of drug trafficking charges, according to federal prosecutors.
Carrillo, Diaz and Perez could face additional penalties if convicted of firearms charges.
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Perez also faces enhanced penalties for prior felonies.
The final sentence will be determined by a judge based on federal sentencing guidelines and other legal factors.
