Federal officials announced the indictment Wednesday of 19 defendants – including suspected gang members and two current state prison inmates – on charges that they were part of a massive conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, cocaine and heroin by using social media.
As part of the bust, agents began a series of arrests early Wednesday of suspected members of Varrio Bosque Norte, a Norteno-affiliated street gang known as “VBN” that is based in Woodland.
Agents served 39 federal search warrants and conducted another 30 parole and probation searches on suspects throughout 11 Northern California counties, as well as in Oregon and Pennsylvania.
Federal grand jury indictments unsealed Wednesday morning name 19 defendants, including two incarcerated at Pelican Bay State Prison.