5 suspects indicted, 2 arrested in meth conspiracy

A federal grand jury has indicted five men from Stanislaus and Merced counties on suspicion of conspiring to move methamphetamine from the Central Valley to Hawaii, the U.S. attorney's office in Sacramento reported Tuesday.

Two of the defendants were in custody while the three others have not been found. Eduardo Zazueta Garcia, 26, was arrested at his Turlock home, and Miguel Angel Leontapia, 32, was arrested at his Delhi home. They were arraigned in federal court Tuesday and pleaded not guilty.

Authorities were still looking for Armando Mendoza, 18, Gilberto Chavez Leon, 27, and Guillermo Paredes Jr., 23, who are believed to be living in Stanislaus or Merced counties. The grand jury returned Oct. 11 with an indictment, which was unsealed Tuesday and alleges that the defendants were part of a drug ring that intended to distribute the meth from the valley to Honolulu.

The conspiracy is alleged to have occurred from June to October. If convicted, the defendants each face 10 years to life in prison and a $10 million fine.