A major operation in California’s Inland Empire targeted the Sinaloa cartel, resulting in the arrest of Riverside County corrections officer Jorge Oceguera-Rocha in September. During the operation, law enforcement discovered trash bags containing over 100 pounds of fentanyl pills in Oceguera-Rocha’s car.
The operation, named “Operation Hotline Bling,” led to the arrest of Oceguera-Rocha and 14 others involved in the cartel’s smuggling and distribution activities. Oceguera-Rocha, 25, resigned from his position as a corrections officer after the discovery of the fentanyl pills in his possession.
Overall, the operation seized an estimated $16 million worth of narcotics, including 376 pounds of methamphetamine, 1.4 pounds of cocaine, and enough fentanyl to produce 10 million doses. Oceguera-Rocha has pleaded not guilty to charges of possession of a controlled substance and possession of a controlled substance for sales.
While the joint news release did not explicitly link Oceguera-Rocha to the Sinaloa cartel, it stated that he played a significant role in trafficking large quantities of narcotics within Riverside County while off duty. The Sinaloa cartel, previously led by Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán, is known for its influence in the drug trade.
