U.S. Attorney announces sentencing in big Salinas meth and gun bust

About a month after a federal and state law enforcement huddle in Salinas, Northern California U.S. Attorney Joseph Russoniello announced the sentencing of a meth dealer tied to a massive stolen car and illegal gun ring.

Misael Solorio was sentenced Monday to 10 years in prison after pleading guilty to possessing with intent to sell 50 grams or more of methamphetamine, Russionello said in a press release.

“This case is but one example of how federal, state and local law enforcement agencies working together can impact the proliferation of gun violence, gang activity and narcotic trafficking that has been plaguing the Salinas area for too long that the law enforcement agents who attended the recent Gang Violence Summit held in Salinas on September 24, 2009 promised to address,” Russoniello said.

Fifty two suspects have been arrested in the wake of the multi-agency sting targeting trafficking in methamphetamine, illegal firearms and stolen vehicles in the Salinas Valley.

"During the course of the investigation, 57 stolen vehicles were recovered with an approximate value of $500,000, and 25 firearms were purchased and four firearms were recovered," the statement says. "In addition, approximately 1,361 grams of crystal methamphetamine was purchased or recovered; approximately 180 grams of heroin was purchased or recovered; and 320 grams of cocaine was recovered. The seized and recovered narcotics have an estimated street value of more than $1.4 million."

The announcement comes as Salinas is reeling from 24 gang-related homicides this year and voters go to polls on Tuesday to decide the fate of Measure K, a 1-cent sales tax increase that city officials are banking on to hire more police officers. Read more in tomorrow's Weekly.