5 indicted in ‘Operation Trash Panda’ meth lab tied to Modesto, Turlock
Five people accused of operating a large-scale methamphetamine lab tied to the Northern California drug bust known as “Operation Trash Panda” have been indicted in federal court, authorities announced Thursday.
A federal grand jury returned a 10-count indictment charging:
- Luis Reyna Carrillo, 33
- Mariana Vanessa Mendoza Camacho, 33
- Juan Jesus Manriquez Diaz, 31
- Alvaro Rosales, 44
- Manuel Juan Madrid Perez, 38
Charges include conspiracy to manufacture and distribute methamphetamine, along with additional drug-trafficking and firearms offenses, according to the U.S. Department of Justice.
Prosecutors allege the group operated a methamphetamine lab in Calaveras County as part of a broader drug-trafficking organization with ties to Mexico.
“This clandestine and illegal operation has now been dismantled,” Attorney General Pamela Bondi said in a statement, adding that authorities will continue efforts to protect communities from drug-trafficking operations.
The charges stem from the same multi-agency investigation that culminated Feb. 27 with coordinated raids in Valley Springs, Turlock and Modesto — the operation local authorities dubbed “Operation Trash Panda.”
That operation uncovered one of the largest methamphetamine seizures in the region, with investigators seizing roughly 2,700 pounds of methamphetamine in various stages of production, along with firearms and marijuana plants.
Authorities said the Valley Springs site was an active meth lab, while locations in Turlock and Modesto were used for production staging and distribution.
Eight people initially were arrested during the raids, and officials at the time said additional charges were expected as the investigation continued.
The federal indictment marks a significant step forward in the case, moving part of the prosecution into federal court, where the defendants could face lengthy prison sentences if convicted. A conviction on conspiracy to manufacture and distribute methamphetamine carries a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years and up to life in prison.
Court dates for the defendants had not yet been announced.
What was ‘Operation Trash Panda’?
“Operation Trash Panda” was a five-month, multi-agency investigation into a drug trafficking organization operating across Northern California.
The probe began in October 2025 after authorities discovered evidence of meth lab byproducts at an illegal dumping site in Calaveras County.
On Feb. 27, more than 100 law enforcement personnel executed search warrants at three locations:
- Valley Springs (Calaveras County): Active meth lab
- Turlock: Site equipped for drug production
- Modesto: Storage and distribution location
Authorities seized approximately 2,700 pounds of methamphetamine, 12 firearms, and 1,900 marijuana plants and processed marijuana.
The operation targeted a drug trafficking organization believed to be manufacturing and distributing methamphetamine throughout Northern California.
