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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 22, 2001
Contact: Special Agent Donald Thornill, (858) 616-4166
DEA
BRINGS DOWN MAJOR ECSTASY ORGANIZATION;
20 ARRESTED, DRUG LAB DISMANTLED
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Containers of precursor chemicals seized during Operation Triple
X.
These chemicals are highly toxic and pose a contamination threat
to the community and the environment.
Agents seized over $400,000 in U.S currency. Forfeited assets
are used to purchase new equipment and conduct counter-drug operations.
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On October
18 and 19, 2001, DEA agents, primarily from the San Diego Division, successfully
completed Operation Triple X. The action dismantled a major methamphetamine
and MDMA (Ecstasy) drug lab in Escondido, California. During the two-day
takedown, 20 people were arrested for their participation in the trafficking
organization that was capable of producing millions of Ecstasy tablets.
Operation Triple X got its name from the “XXX” logo imprinted
on some of the Ecstasy tablets produced by the organization.
The success of the
operation was the result of tremendous assistance provided by numerous
DEA field offices throughout the country, as well as state and local law
enforcement agencies that provided intelligence and support.
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Seizures
During Operation Triple X
- 48,000 Ecstasy
Tablets
- 1 pound
methamphetamine
- 48 kilos
of 3,4-Propene (could produce 500,000 ecstasy tablets)
- 700 pounds
of Camphor oil (could produce one million ecstasy tablets)
- 45 gallons
of GBL (used to produce GHB)
- Many other
precursor chemicals and laboratory equipment
- $429,000
in U.S. currency
- 15 weapons
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List
of Defendants
Alba,
Dennis, arrested at Escondido, CA lab site
Forrester, Mark, arrested 10/19
Walters, Donald, arrested 10/19 in New York, NY
Bowen, Dean, arrested 10/19 in Santa Monica, CA
Wada, David, arrested 10/19 in Pismo Beach, CA
Hernandez, Israel, arrested 10/18 at Escondido, CA lab site
Hernandez, Rafael, arrested 10/18 in San Diego, CA
Forrester, Walter, arrested 10/19 in Hemet, CA
Tamez, Karl, arrested 10/19 in Hemet, CA
Chavez, Juan, arrested 10/18 in Escondido, CA
Cutler, Kenneth, arrested 10/19 in Camden, NJ
LeBlanc, Theodore, arrested 10/19 in Costa Mesa, CA
Galanis, Derek, arrested 10/19 in Del Mar, CA
Huson, Hobart, arrested 10/19 in Houston, TX
Ortega, Laura, arrested 10/19 at Escondido, CA lab site
Aarhus, Lisa, arrested 10/19
Litteral, Aaron, arrested 10/18 at Escondido, CA lab site
Chapman, Brian, arrested 10/19 in San Francisco, CA
Galanis, Jason, arrested 10/19 in Beverly Hills, CA
Gomez, Martin, arrested 10/19 in Chula Vista, CA
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