NET-5: Couple used meth sales to bring people from Mexico

A Biggs couple arrested Wednesday were distributing methamphetamine in three counties and using the profits to hire "coyotes" to bring family members and associates from Mexico, a drug enforcement official said.

Jose Gildardo Rodarte and Juanita Martina Macias-Torres were arrested about 6 p.m. at their residence in the 400 block of Trent Street after a Butte County Superior Court warrant was served, said Mike Hudson, commander of the Yuba-Sutter Narcotic and Gang Enforcement Task Force, or NET-5.

"Although Rodarte and Macias-Torres live ... in the small town of Biggs, they were operating a rather large and sophisticated methamphetamine distribution ring" in Butte, Yuba and Sutter counties, Hudson said.

Rodarte procured pound-level quantities of high-quality crystal meth and sold ounces of it in the three counties daily, he said.

"During the investigation, NET-5 discovered Rodarte and Macias-Torres were also involved in human trafficking," paying "coyotes" to smuggle family members and associates across the border from Mexico. The couple was paying $4,000 per person, Hudson said.

Found in the residence were 2 ounces of meth, a .38 caliber derringer pistol, a 12-gauge shotgun, more than $1,500 in drug sale proceeds and a ledger indicating single transactions of as much as $10,000.

The two were arrested on suspicion of possessing methamphetamine for sale, maintaining a residence for drug trafficking and being armed while selling drugs. They were booked into Butte County Jail.

Macias-Torres is in the country illegally and is being held for federal immigration authorities, Hudson said.