Two Long Beach Men Arrested on Indictment Alleging They Sold Fentanyl and Methamphetamine Out of Car Upholstery Shop

LOS ANGELES - Two Long Beach men were arrested today on an 11-count federal grand jury indictment charging them with selling fentanyl and methamphetamine out of a purported auto upholstery shop in Gardena.

Hector Valle, 48, and Efren Sanchez, 52, were arrested this morning and are scheduled to be arraigned this afternoon in United States District Court in downtown Los Angeles.

Valle and Sanchez are both charged with conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute fentanyl and methamphetamine, and with being felons in possession of firearms. Valle is also charged with possession with intent to distribute cocaine, and possession of firearms in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.

"Those who traffic in fentanyl are well aware that they are profiting by putting others' lives at risk," said United States Attorney Martin Estrada. "It is important that those bad actors be held accountable. I commend our law enforcement partners with the FBI and Ventura County Sheriff's Office for their diligence in taking these dangerous drugs and firearms off our streets."

According to the indictment that a grand jury returned on July 17, Valle and Sanchez on June 9, 2023, sold approximately 433 grams of methamphetamine and 49.95 grams of fentanyl.

During search warrants executed at three locations, law enforcement seized more than 14.3 kilograms (31 pounds) of fentanyl, approximately 424 grams of methamphetamine, approximately 675 grams of cocaine, six firearms, 117 rounds of ammunition, and approximately $21,700 cash. Law enforcement also seized several packages of fentanyl, methamphetamine, and cocaine stowed away in a vending machine at a purported auto upholstery shop called "Stitchn' Time," Valle's purported place of business.

An indictment contains allegations that a defendant has committed a crime. Every defendant is presumed to be innocent until and unless proven guilty in court.

If convicted of all charges, each defendant would face a statutory maximum sentence of life in federal prison and a mandatory minimum sentence of at least 10 years in federal prison.

Operation Safe Cities establishes strategic enforcement priorities with an emphasis on prosecuting the most significant drivers of violent crime. Across this region, the most damaging and horrific crimes are committed by a relatively small number of particularly violent individuals. This strategic enforcement approach is expected to increase the number of arrests, prosecutions and convictions of recidivists engaged in the most dangerous conduct. It is designed to improve public safety across the region by targeting crimes involving illicit guns, prohibited persons possessing firearms, or robbery crews that cause havoc and extensive losses to retail establishments.

The FBI is investigating this matter. The Ventura County Sheriff's Office provided assistance.

Assistant United States Attorney Matt Coe-Odess of the General Crimes Section is prosecuting this case.

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