U.S. Indicts 5 on Drug Charges

Two San Diego County men were among five people indicted by a federal grand jury on charges to manufacture and distribute methamphetamine, U.S. Atty. William Braniff reported Friday.

Ricardo Iniguez Becerra, 31, of Vista, Ramon La Valle-De Casas, 21, of San Marcos, Pedro Pichardo Fuentes, 34, of Corona, and Sergio Maldonado-Mandujano, 30, of Corona, were all charged with conspiracy to manufacture and possess methamphetamine with intent to distribute and possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute, according to a statement released by the U.S. attorney’s office, Southern District of California.

The fifth defendant, Pablo Valdovinos, 38, in addition to the drug-related indictments, was charged with the use and carrying of a firearm during the commission of a drug-trafficking crime.

If convicted of the drug charges, each defendant faces 10 years-to-life imprisonment and a fine up to $4 million. Valdovinos could also face an additional 5-year sentence if convicted of the firearm charge.

The three-count indictment resulted from an investigation conducted by the San Diego Integrated Narcotics Task Force of the Drug Enforcement Administration.