Press Release

PRESS RELEASE: Search Warrant Leads to Arrest and the Discovery of Illegal Narcotics and Firearms

On Friday, October 28 th, 2022, at approximately 7:00 a.m., The Turlock Special Weapons and Tactics Team, with the help of Investigators with the Special Investigations Unit (S.I.U.) and Detectives with the Turlock Police Department, served a search and arrest warrant for 38 year-old Asuncion Quintero in the 800 block of High Street. The arrest and search warrant at Quintero’s residence was part of a monthslong multi-agency drug trafficking investigation dubbed, Operation Trifecta. The investigation was led by the Madera Narcotics Enforcement Team, the High-Intensity Investigation Team, the Fresno Drug Enforcement Administration with the assistance of Turlock Police S.I.U. and other allied agencies.



SIU Investigator Jacob Young said, “Drug deals do not recognize jurisdictional boundaries when they bring their poison into our communities and we’ve made a commitment to working closely with neighboring law enforcement agencies to dismantle these operations from the top down.”



Quintero is suspected of being a sub dealer of a large-scale Mexico-based Drug Trafficking Organization (DTO) that manufactures and distributes methamphetamine throughout California and neighboring states.



Investigators located and seized 1.40 pounds of methamphetamine, four firearms, two of which were fully assembled manufactured “Ghost Guns”, and approximately six thousand dollars in cash at Quintero’s residence in Turlock.



Operation Trifecta resulted in nearly 30 arrests and the seizure of 2 kilograms of powdered fentanyl, 4 kilograms of black tar heroin, 1,305 pounds of methamphetamine, 2,000 M30 pills, 8 firearms, 35,000 in asset forfeiture, and the dismantling of 3 active meth labs. The operation resulted in the largest drug seizure in Madera County history.



Chief Jason Hedden said, “The Turlock Police Department is proud to participate in the dismantling drug operations with our allied agency partners. This type of collaboration demonstrates our commitment to making Turlock and neighboring communities safer through partnerships and networking. Taking these criminals off the street, coupled with the seizure of dangerous narcotics and firearms, is a win for everyone.”



Quintero was booked into the Stanislaus County Jail on charges related to the sales, transportation, and manufacturing of illegal narcotics and weapons violations.



The Turlock Police Department asks that anyone with information about this investigation to call Investigator Jacob Young at (209) 668-6575. You can also contact the Turlock Police Department’s Tip Line at (209) 668-5550 extension 6575 or email at tpdtipline@turlock.ca.us.



The Turlock Police Department is an active participant in the Crime Stoppers Program. Callers can leave an anonymous tip by calling Crime Stoppers at (209) 521-4636 and may be eligible for a cash reward.



To receive more detailed, up-to-date information directly from the Turlock Police Department via e-mail or text message, register for "Nixle" alerts at www.Nixle.com or more directly at https://local.nixle.com/register/. Or, text your zip code to 888777 to receive text alerts only.



For additional information, follow our social media pages on Facebook and Twitter.