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Thursday, Dec. 17, 2009
Undercover drug sting nabs 17 arrests
Multiple agencies involved in action targeting street-level narcotics dealers.
Seventeen suspects accused of drug sales and related crimes were arrested Wednesday in a daylong sweep conducted by agents with the Merced Multi-Agency Task Force.
Called "Operation Street Sweeper," the action focused on numerous locations in Merced and Atwater. Cmdr. Neil Compston of the task force said the suspects were targeted due to numerous complaints from residents who were fed up with the alleged drug sales.
In making the arrests, undercover officers posed as drug users, purchasing marijuana and methamphetamine from the suspects. Compston said at least 11 of the suspects actually sold drugs to undercover officers. Others were sought on outstanding warrants, in addition to probation and parole violations.
"We were very successful, Compston said. "Our hope is that these street-level narcotics dealers will think twice before they go out on the street and sell to anyone."
During the operation, agents confiscated a small amount of marijuana, methamphetamine and a fully loaded .45 caliber semi-automatic handgun.
The task force was assisted by the Merced Police Department, Merced County Sheriff's Department, agents from the Merced- Mariposa High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Task Force, and agents from four California Department of Justice task forces.
Agents sought and were granted Superior Court indictments on 11 of the adult suspects on Dec. 10. During the operation, search warrants were served for eight residences in Merced and one residence in Atwater.
Suspects arrested during the operation included:
Brandon Westley, 24, suspicion of sales of marijuana.
Natalie Mayorga, 27, suspicion of sales of substances in lieu of narcotics.
Steven Griffin, 44, suspicion of sales of methamphetamine.
Tommy Sujaidee, 19, felon suspected of possessing a firearm.
Keo Phavixay, 40, suspicion of sales of methamphetamine.
Khamlay Phavixay, 44, suspicion of a probation violation.
Antonio Pino, 18, suspicion of selling marijuana.
Tabitha Gonsales, 39, suspicion of selling marijuana and using a minor to sell narcotics.
Kai Saelee, 30, felony arrest warrants.
Antonio Soto, 25, suspicion of possessing of marijuana.
Andres Briceno, 28, suspicion of possessing marijuana.
Manuel Segura, 36, felony arrest warrants.
Kao Saelee, 21, suspicion of parole violations.
Thong Sengmany, 33, suspicion of parole violations.
Rudy Gardea, 51, possession of narcotics paraphernalia.
Agents also arrested two 17-year-old boys on warrants during the operation. Of those arrested, Kai Saelee, Kao Saelee, Sengmany and Sujaidee are believed to be gang members, Compston said.
Gardea and Soto were cited and arrested at the scene, but were not taken into custody, Compston said.
The operation started at 7 a.m. and ended at 6 p.m. Wednesday.
Reporter Victor A. Patton can be reached (209) 385-2431 or vpatton@mercedsun-star.com.
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