DOJ: 5 men indicted for drug trafficking in Merced County | YourCentralValley.com

MERCED COUNTY, Calif. (KSEE/KGPE) – Five men were charged Thursday with crimes related to a Merced trafficking operation as part of “Operation Red Rooster,” the Department of Justice announced.

The DOJ says a federal grand jury returned a five-count indictment against Fernando Arellano, 36, of Planada, Isaiah Serena, 40, of Merced, Jason Mott, 49, of Merced, David Gonzales, 45, of Merced, and Christopher Baca-Arias, 18, from Honduras.

According to the DOJ, Arellano, Sereba and Mott are charged with conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine. Serena and Mott are also charged with distributing methamphetamine. Serena, Mott, Gonzales and Baca-Arias are charged with conspiracy to distribute fentanyl, and Serena, Gonzales and Baca-Arias are also charged with distribution of fentanyl. Serena is also charged with possession of a firearm by a felon.

According to court documents, Serena and Mott ran a drug trafficking operation centered on a self-storage business in Merced. Arellano provided methamphetamine for the operation while Baca-Arias provided fentanyl. Gonzales worked for Serena and Mott.

The DOJ says that during the investigation, the conspirators distributed more than 40 pounds of methamphetamine and 2 pounds of fentanyl.

This case is the product of “Operation Red Rooster,” a long-term, multi-agency investigation into gang violence and drug trafficking.

If convicted, Arellano, Serena, Mott and Gonzales face the maximum legal penalty of life in prison and a $10 million fine. Baca-Arias faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison and a $1 million fine, according to the DOJ.