Four people charged with drug trafficking

DEA agents say they recovered more than 22 pounds of meth

SAN JOSE >> A foursome of South Bay residents has been charged with trafficking drugs, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office.

On Thursday, Victor Nevarez, 49, and Juan Rivera Arzate, 38, both of San Jose, were arraigned in connection with an indictment charging them with engaging in a conspiracy to traffic methamphetamine from Dec. 13, 2020, to March 8, the office said in a news release Friday. Drug Enforcement Administration agents reportedly recovered more than 22 pounds of methamphetamine, thousands of dollars and a pistol.

Pedro Gaona Salse, 28, of San Jose was also arrested and arraigned Thursday on a complaint charging him with possession with intent to distribute fentanyl. While executing a search warrant at Gaona's home, DEA agents found more than 2.8 ounces of a substance believed to be fentanyl in a bathroom and a pistol, according to the office.

In a separate complaint filed Thursday, Adhemar Castaneda Becerril, 26, of Gilroy was charged with possession with intent to manufacture, distribute or dispense methamphetamine. At Castaneda's home, DEA agents reportedly found a saucer pan in a laundry room containing more than 5.8 pounds of a dark-colored liquid that tested presumptively positive as methamphetamine, as well as other items that, in combination, are consistent with methamphetamine conversion labs, the office said.

Nevarez, Arzate and Castaneda face up to 40 years in prison and a $5 million fine if convicted, and Gaona faces up to 20 years in prison and a $1 million fine if convicted. All four are being detained in custody pending upcoming detention hearings.