17 arrested in drug trafficking operation

The Placer County Sheriff's Office reported 17 individuals were arrested on March 12 as part of a drug trafficking operation. The investigation, which began in the summer of 2025, identified a large-scale drug trafficking network supplying drugs into Placer County, primarily out of Sacramento. According to the Sheriff's Office, the organization included members affiliated with a Mexican drug trafficking organization and individuals connected to two Sacramento-area drug and firearms trafficking gangs. "Investigators conservatively estimate the network distributed approximately 500 pounds of methamphetamine monthly throughout Sacramento and Placer Counties," the Sheriff's Office reported on March 12. According to the Sheriff's Office, search and arrest warrants were executed at 25 locations across Sacramento and Placer counties, the city of Sacramento and Elk Grove. The individuals arrested were booked into the Placer County Jail and include: Esteban Ortega, 39 Loc Dinh, 33 Robert Stewart, 61 Junior Mai, 27 Alejandro Herrera, 41 Kevin Berry, 51 Laeilia Leffler, 42 Michael Elliot, 41 Julian Montano, 32 Joe Saetern, 28 Shawnray Shermer, 35 Theodore St. Andre, 41 Thomas Wood, 55 Don Wedgeworth, 82 Carl Spinella, 55 Joshua Saephanh, 19 Jennifer Lowry, 46 All individuals remain in custody and are ineligible for bail, except for Spinella, whose bail is set at $210,000. The Placer County District's Attorney's Office confirmed charges ranging from conspiracy and transportation for sale of bulk quantities of meth were filed against the 17 individuals on Monday. According to the DA's Office, each appeared in court and entered not guilty pleas. The Sheriff's Office confirmed 65 pounds of meth, 7.25 kilos of cocaine, a half-pound of molly, 26 firearms, one DMT lab and more than $100,000 in cash was seized. "This eight-month investigation sends a clear message: Illegal drugs have no place in Placer County," the Sheriff's Office said. "Those who bring them here will be located, arrested and prosecuted."