Sacramento County Sheriff and Calaveras County Sheriff joint operationis one of the largest meth seizures in U.S. history

 

Operation Trash Panda, a joint effort by the by the Sacramento County Sheriffs Office and Calaveras County Sheriffs Office is one of the largest meth seizures in U.S. history.

8 suspects arrested on state and federal charges including one on the National Terrorist Watch List. 2,700 pounds of meth, 1900  marijuana plants and over 100 lbs processed marijuana, 12 firearms and over 1000 rounds of ammunition were seized.

Press Release:

On February 27, 2026, the Sacramento County Sheriffs Office SAINT (Sacramento Area Intelligence Narcotics Team) and Calaveras County Sheriffs Office CNEU (Calaveras Narcotics Enforcement Unit) served multiple high risk search warrants after a joint investigation that began in October 2025 when illegal dumping in Calaveras County revealed evidence of clandestine drug lab byproducts.

An active methamphetamine lab was dismantled in the 8000 block of Center Drive in Valley Springs. A second site in the 2000 block of Golf Road in Turlock contained all equipment necessary to operate as a lab but was stopped before production. A third location in the 900 block of Reno Avenue in Modesto was used by the Drug Trafficking Organization (DTO) to store and distribute illicit narcotics. The DTO was manufacturing and distributing methamphetamine throughout Northern California.

RESULTS:

 • 8 suspects arrested on state and federal charges (one on the National Terrorist Watch List)

 • 12 firearms (8 handguns, 3 shotguns, 1 rifle) and over 1000 rounds of ammunition

 • 1443 lbs suspected methamphetamine and 1270 lbs partially processed suspected methamphetamine totaling over 2700 lbs, approximate street value 4000000 dollars

 • 1900 growing marijuana plants and over 100 lbs processed marijuana

The operation was led by the Sacramento County Sheriffs Office SAINT and Calaveras County Sheriffs Office CNEU in coordination with the DEA Sacramento District Office, Central Valley High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas CVC HIDTA, Homeland Security Task Force HSTF, Calaveras County District Attorneys Office, Modesto Police Department, Merced Area Gang and Narcotics Enforcement Team MAGNET, Federal Bureau of Investigation FBI, Homeland Security Investigations HSI, and the United States Attorneys Office.

This represents one of the largest domestic methamphetamine seizures in United States history.

All suspects were charged with numerous felonies. Identities are being withheld as the investigation remains active and ongoing.