Three Foreign Nationals Charged with Conspiracy and Possession with Intent to Distribute Almost Four Tons of Methamphetamine

SAN DIEGO – A federal complaint was filed today charging Erick Arriola, Baltazar Rodriguez Reyes and Eugenio Lizama, alleged drivers of drug-laden vans and a truck, with conspiring to distribute almost four tons of methamphetamine.

It was one of the biggest seizures of methamphetamine in 2025 in the Southern District of California, and the most significant so far by the new Homeland Security Task Force San Diego, which was recently established by the Department of Justice and Department of Homeland Security at the request of President Trump.

Among other goals, the task force was created to identify and target for prosecution transnational criminal organizations engaged in drug trafficking, money laundering, weapons trafficking, human trafficking and smuggling, homicide, extortion, and kidnapping.

The complaint alleges that on June 2, 2025, federal law enforcement officials were conducting surveillance on four vehicles - which included two white panel vans, a white Ford F150 truck, and a semi-truck - as they congregated in a parking lot in the 8200 block of Otay Mesa Road.

According to the complaint, bundles in each vehicle had been moved from the large semi-truck into the other vehicles while in the parking lot. The three defendants drove in separate directions before they were ultimately arrested by United States Border Patrol. Each vehicle was stuffed with large bundles of methamphetamine.

Arriola, of El Salvador, was present in the United States despite being a felon convicted of DUI, battery of a spouse, and false imprisonment. Rodriguez Reyes and Lizama are Mexican nationals.

“The recent formation of Homeland Security Task Force San Diego is an essential step to fulfilling the promises of Operation Take Back America,” said U.S. Attorney Adam Gordon, “Our Office will fully support these enhanced law enforcement partnerships to ensure the safety of our community.”

“As a founding member of HSTF in San Diego, I’m thrilled to be working alongside our partners who have also committed resources to combatting transnational crime,” said Shawn Gibson, special agent in charge for HSI San Diego. “Cases under the HSTF will be a priority for me and staff as we all will continue to work together to secure our border and keep our communities safe.”

“Collaboration between law enforcement agencies greatly helps to effectively combat transnational criminal organizations,” said Acting Chief Patrol Agent Jeffrey Stalnaker. “The leveraging of our unique capabilities amplifies our ability to safeguard the nation.”

“When we combine our unique capabilities, authorities, strengths, and assets, we create a unified response to the expansive cartel threat,” said FBI San Diego Acting Special Agent in Charge Houtan Moshrefi. “FBI San Diego will continue to collaborate with our law enforcement partners to reduce the growing epidemic of drug trafficking and violence in our community.”

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Kyle Martin of the U.S. Attorney’s recently created Narcoterrorism Unit.

DEFENDANTS                                 Case Number 25mj3112                                          

Erick Omar Arriola                                      Age 27                El Salvador

Baltazar Rodriguez Reyes                           Age 49                Mexico

Eugenio Lizama                                          Age 35                Mexico

SUMMARY OF CHARGES

Title 21, U.S.C., Sec. 841(a)(1), (b)(1)(B) – Possession with Intent to

Distribute Methamphetamine

Maximum penalty: Life; 10-year mandatory minimum sentence

Title 21, U.S.C., Sec. 841(a)(1), 846 – Conspiracy to Distribute Methamphetamine

Maximum penalty: Life; 10-year mandatory minimum sentence

INVESTIGATING AGENCIES

Homeland Security Investigations

Federal Bureau of Investigation

United States Border Patrol

San Diego County Sheriff’s Department

This case was investigated and prosecuted by the Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) San Diego as part of Operation Take Back America. HSTFs, which were established by President Trump in Executive Order 14159, Protecting the American People Against Invasion, are joint operations led by the Department of Justice and the Department of Homeland Security. Operation Take Back America is a nationwide federal initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to, among other goals, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations, and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces and Project Safe Neighborhoods.

*The charges and allegations contained in an indictment or complaint are merely accusations, and the defendants are considered innocent unless and until proven guilty.