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58 °F Forecast | Road Cams Saturday, March 6, 2004 Today's News | Classifieds | Autos | Homes | Jobs | Tempo | Health | Community | Home Delivery SECTIONS Home Page Local News Sports Business Obituaries Life Opinion - Politics AP News Weather Classified Archives Site Map EXTRA Newspaper in Education Personals Movie Times TV Times E The People CLASSIFIEDS Find a Car Find a Home Find a Job Find a Rental Place an ad eSouthernOregon Automotive Communities Entertainment Publications Recreation Calendar CUSTOMER SERVICE Frequent Questions Advertising Information Home Delivery Employment Contact Us Media Kit Network Affiliate Email Story to a Friend February 21, 2004 Agencies break up Mexican meth ring By ANITA BURKE Mail Tribune A seven-month FBI investigation culminated this week with the arrests of four men suspected of bringing methamphetamine to the Rogue Valley from Mexico. Local and federal investigators believe three of the men, who are related, brought weekly deliveries of methamphetamine made by a relative in Mexico and sold it around Medford. One of their customers included a police informant, authorities said. Jeffrey Gray, an FBI special agent, set out the results of the investigation in an affidavit seeking arrest and search warrants that was filed Feb. 13 in U.S. District Court in Medford. Medford police, Jackson County sheriff’s deputies, the Jackson County Narcotics Enforcement Team and the U.S. Bureau of Immigration and Customs Enforcement all assisted with the investigation. They moved in Monday and Tuesday to arrest the suspects. Authorities arrested Isau Medina Aispuro, 44, of the 8200 block of 23rd Street, White City; Jesus Humberto Quinonez-Aispuro, 30, of the same address; and Carlos Arcenio Quinonez-Aispuro, 24, of the 3600 block of Antelope Road, White City, all on federal warrants. Advertisement Florencio Cabrera Huerta, 19, of the 10200 Agate Road, Eagle Point, was arrested Tuesday as he drove Jesus Quinonez-Aispuro to deliver just over a pound of methamphetamine. Huerta told officials that Jesus Quinonez-Aispuro brought meth to his house a few days earlier because Quinonez-Aispuro feared that authorities knew he was dealing the drug, according to court records. All four men have been charged with one count of distribution of methamphetamine and one count of conspiracy to distribute meth, court records show. According to the affidavits, Aispuro told a police informant that his brother-in-law in Mexicali, Mexico, cooked methamphetamine. He then delivered pure meth to Los Angeles packed in grease or baking soda to mask the scent. Two informants relayed that Aispuro and his family members would go to Los Angeles to pick up the meth and bring it to the Rogue Valley. They then diluted or "cut" the drug with a sulfur supplement sold at farm-supply stores. Aispuro told the informant that he relied on the Quinonez-Aispuro brothers, who are his cousins, to sell the drug, according to court records. He bragged that he had made $15,000 in three months selling meth, but his cousins had customers who didn’t pay, thus impinging on his money-making ability. Since the investigation started in July, the informant bought meth from the Aispuro family at least monthly. In all, the informant bought nearly a pound and a half of meth for $8,975, court records said. The four men were lodged at the Jackson County Jail. After they made initial appearances in federal court Wednesday, they were ordered to remain jailed until trial. All Mexican citizens, they also are being detained on illegal immigration charges, court records said. Reach reporter Anita Burke at 776-4459, or e-mail [email protected] Mail Tribune Home Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life Opinion - Politics | AP News | Archives | Site Map E Southern Oregon | Classified Copyright © 1997-2004 Mail Tribune. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions Website Feedback 3 WEEKS FREE! ADVERTISERS A D V E R T I S E R S RESOURCES Oregon Road Conditions & Cams SPECIAL SECTIONS Auto Finder Job Finder Home Finder Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Tempo Readers' Choice Real Estate Showcase Since We Asked Food for Thought Wellness Connection Outdoor Journal Moving to Southern Oregon? Volunteer Opportunities Prime Times