Rocket launcher, 800 pounds of pot seized in massive bust in San Jose
SAN JOSE, Calif. (KGO) -- Four men from San Jose were arrested and booked into Santa Clara County Jail on various charges, including manufacturing and transporting of narcotics and possession of illegal weapons.
"This investigation involved a criminal network that was trafficking narcotics from the San Jose area to the East Coast as well as the South of the United States," Lt. Paul Messier told ABC7 News.
On Wednesday, the San Jose Police Department (SJPD) announced its Special Investigations Unit conducted a large-scale operation on November 28.
SJPD reports the group was making and selling drugs throughout the Bay Area and was taking narcotics across the country.
"They were using shell companies, renting storage space," Lt. Messier explained. Then they were approaching freight companies, posing as these electronic companies, asking to ship 'electronic components' to these various locations throughout the United States,"
On the 28th, SJPD's Special Investigations Unit, in conjunction with the MERGE Unit; Covert Response Unit; Violent Crimes Enforcement Team; Metro Unit; ICAC Unit; K-9 Unit; Field Operations; Sunnyvale Department of Public Safety; Santa Clara County District Attorney's Office;
U.S. Postal Inspectors and the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration served six search warrants and four arrest warrants within San Jose and Sunnyvale.
In the raids, agencies recovered more than 800 pounds of marijuana, a large amount of illegal anabolic steroids, five ounces of concentrated hash oil, powder cocaine, Xanax bars, Ecstasy pills, three handguns and an expended rocket launcher (AT4). Agencies also froze bank accounts and seized $600,000.
According to SJPD, warehouses in four other states were identified and local agencies from those respective departments acted in collaboration with its department. This operation was the result of a two-year long investigation.
Anthony Le, Barry Phan, Jose Garcia, and Alejandro Garcia were arrested in this case. The men are all San Jose residents, in their 30s and 40s. The men have since posted bail.
"Whenever you're dealing with organized crime or a criminal network, there's always more," Lt. Messier said. "So, any individuals that have information about this group or any of their activities, we're encouraging them to contact the San Jose Police Special Investigations Unit."
Anyone with information is asked to contact the San Jose Police Department's Special Investigations Unit at 408-277-4041. If you wish to remain anonymous, you may call the Crime Stoppers Tip Line, (408) 947-STOP (7867). Those who provide information leading to the arrest and conviction of the suspect may be eligible for a CASH REWARD from the Silicon Valley Crime Stoppers.
