14 indicted in connection with major meth bust

By Conor Shine

Friday, July 22, 2011 | 5:28 p.m.

Formal indictments were issued Friday for 14 people arrested in connection with a major methamphetamine bust last week that netted $5.7 million in drugs.

The accused will appear in Clark County District Court for arraignment next Thursday. They are being held on bonds ranging up to $1 million.

The 21-count indictment included a single charge of manufacturing a controlled substance and multiple charges each of trafficking a controlled substance, unlawful possession of a firearm and conspiracy to violate the controlled substances law.

The investigation that led to what officials called the large meth bust in Nevada history began in January and culminated in search warrants being served at five valley locations, including three in northeast Las Vegas and one in Henderson.

Officials said they seized 208 pounds of meth, 4.3 pounds of heroin, $280,000 in cash, nine vehicles, five handguns and one shotgun.

Those arrested include Jorge Loza, 26, Armando Lara, 37, Sergio Vieyra-Medrano, 37, Oscar Cavadas, 26, Felix Roman, 27, Mayra Torres, 29, Salvador Garibo, 27, Cecilia Salgado, 55, Alejandro Gomez, 31, Ivan Torres, 44 and Jose Lopez, 20.

Also charged were Francisco Cruzvizcara, Dagoberto Huerta-Mata and Lydia Barrelleza. No ages for them were listed.

Officials said at least 10 of the suspects were in the country illegally and are believed to be members of a Mexican drug cartel.