FRESNO – On March 15, 2018, a federal grand jury returned a four-count indictment t against
- Julian Aispuro Jr., 33, of Los Angeles;
- Abel Gregory Castro, 29, of Torrance;
- and Tauri Dolores Valera, 32, of San Pedro,
charging them with conspiring to distribute methamphetamine and heroin, and possession with the intent to distribute both methamphetamine and heroin. In addition, Castro and Valera were charged with possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking offense.
According to court documents, Aispuro arranged to sell methamphetamine, black tar heroin, and china white heroin to two people, one of whom was an undercover officer. On February 21, 2018, Aispuro arrived at the prearranged meeting spot. Castro and Valera arrived separately with approximately 28.9 pounds of methamphetamine and 1.3 pounds of china white heroin in the trunk as well as a loaded .38-caliber Smith and Wesson revolver in plain view on the back seat.
“Working undercover drug investigations is very dangerous for law enforcement officers,” said California Statewide Law Enforcement Association President Alan Barcelona. “These brave men and women risk their safety and their lives by interacting with drug traffickers in an effort to investigate, arrest and assist in the prosecution of drug dealers.”
The investigating agencies in this case are:
- Fresno Methamphetamine Task Force,
- U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI),
- California Department of Justice’s Special Investigation Team,
- California Highway Patrol,
- Fresno County Sheriff’s Office,
- and Tulare County Sheriff’s Office.
If convicted, Aispuro faces a statutory penalty of a minimum of 10 years to life years in prison and a $10 million fine. If convicted, Castro and Valera face a statutory penalty of a minimum of 15 years to life years in prison and a $10 million fine.
