Federal grand jury indicts Modesto couple on meth and heroin trafficking charges
A federal grand jury Thursday indicted a Modesto couple on charges of distributing methamphetamine and heroin.
Jose Juan Garcia-Herrera, 59, and Lupe Aime Busio-Valencia, 41, are accused of trafficking 10 pounds of meth and close to 7 pounds of heroin.
A news release from U.S. Attorney McGregor Scott said the offenses happened July 11 to 22, while the couple was under investigation. The Modesto Police Department worked the case with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
Drugs, gun and cash reported
Detectives observed Garcia-Herrera taking items from a home and placing them under the driver’s seat of a car, the release said. A subsequent traffic stop led to the discovery of the drugs, prosecutors said.
Agents served a search warrant at the couple’s home and found evidence of powdered meth being converted to crystal form, along with a firearm and about $38,000 in cash, the release said.
It did not disclose the location of the home or the traffic stop.
The indictment was handed up by a grand jury in Fresno. Each defendant faces charges of conspiracy to distribute the drugs and possession with intent to distribute.
If convicted, they would face up to life in prison, a fine of up to $10 million, and forfeiture of the $38,000, the release said.
This story was originally published July 30, 2020 at 4:19 PM.
