LOS ANGELES – A Riverside County man was arrested today on federal charges alleging he manufactured and distributed significant quantities of methamphetamine at his home laboratory – where two young children lived – and illegally possessed firearms and ammunition.
Alvaro Hector Martinez, 32, of Perris, is charged in the indictment with one count of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, three counts of possession of methamphetamine, one count of knowingly possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime and one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm.
Martinez is expected to be arraigned this afternoon at United States District Court in downtown Los Angeles.
According to the indictment returned on June 17, a co-conspirator arranged for wholesale drug purchasers to buy large quantities of narcotics, including methamphetamine, from Martinez. Martinez and others allegedly then manufactured methamphetamine using a homemade laboratory, and used firearms to protect the drugs, the laboratory and their drug proceeds.
Martinez allegedly distributed large amounts of methamphetamine, including a March 2021 drug deal in which he transported 34 pounds (15.4 kilograms) of the drug to a buyer.
After his arrest during a March 2021 traffic stop, law enforcement executed a search warrant on Martinez’s home and found more than 17.6 pounds (8 kilograms) of methamphetamine, 12.6 pounds (5.7 kilograms) of marijuana, five gallons of methamphetamine solution, two rifles, two handguns, eight firearm magazines, 41 rounds of ammunition, tactical vests and a methamphetamine conversion laboratory, according to an affidavit filed with a criminal complaint in this case.
Along with the narcotics, drug paraphernalia and firearms, law enforcement discovered two young boys – 2 and 3 years old, the affidavit states. Child Protective Services subsequently were called to the residence.
Martinez’s criminal history includes felony convictions in Los Angeles Superior Court for grand theft and possession of a firearm by a felon, according to the indictment.
An indictment contains allegations that a defendant has committed a crime. Every defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
The Drug Enforcement Administration investigated this matter.
Assistant United States Attorney Gregory D. Bernstein of the Major Frauds Section is prosecuting this case.