Trio allegedly found with cocaine, weapons, $114K ordered to trial

At the end of the May 21 preliminary hearing, Ventura County Superior Court Judge Brian Back said there is enough evidence to hold Diego Lopez Zuniga, 25, Joaquin Guzman Cardenas, 18, and Filemon Camacho Gaxiloa, 33, for trial. All are residents of Ventura County.

The trio allegedly possessed cocaine with the intent to transport and sell the drug. Authorities also seized a loaded weapon and more than $100,000 in cash.

According to the case, on March 17 at approximately 10 p.m. the three held a meeting with Alejandro Arroyo and Pablo Arroyo - who allegedly were buying the cocaine - which was monitored as they sat in a vehicle parked in a Santa Paula garage. The Santa Barbara Regional Narcotic Enforcement Team (SBRNET), which had been investigating Alejandro Arroyo and his associates for narcotic trafficking for about six months, monitored the conversation.

During lengthy testimony, Agent Michael Nilsen of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration described the investigation and how wiretaps and police surveillance teams were able to capture the five suspects. Nilsen said the Arroyos drove into the garage at a residence in Santa Paula, where they met Zuniga, Cardenas and Gaxiloa to buy eight pounds of cocaine. Investigators believe that during the deal the suspects also communicated with an unknown person in Mexico, believed to be their supplier.

At about midnight, the conclusion of the meeting, law enforcement moved in and Alejandro Arroyo led police on a chase at speeds often reaching 100 mph as he ran through numerous red lights. The car chase -a pursuit that led from Highway 126 to the 101 Freeway - ended in Calabasas after the California Highway Patrol put spiked strips on the road. During the pursuit Arroyo tossed more than three pounds of cocaine out of the window of the speeding vehicle.