Recent disclosures indicate that the former Riverside County sheriff’s deputy, apprehended last year for possessing over 100 pounds of fentanyl, was purportedly aiding the Sinaloa cartel, once led by Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzman.

Despite refraining from explicitly mentioning 25-year-old Jorge Oceguera-Rocha in its April 25 press release detailing the successful crackdown on numerous cartel members across the U.S., the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) identified a “corrupt” deputy from Riverside County suspected of facilitating fentanyl transportation.

A police officer in California was arrested for possessing and transporting about 520,000 fentanyl pills. Jorge Oceguera-Rocha, 25, is believed to have ties to Mexican drug cartels. pic.twitter.com/Qn7Ih0yExQ

— Fifty Shades of Whey (@davenewworld_2) September 26, 2023

“During the course of the investigation, agents uncovered information about a corrupt Riverside County Correctional Deputy,” the agency disclosed. “DEA and Riverside Police collaborated on investigative leads provided to the Riverside County Sheriff Department, leading to the arrest of the deputy in possession of 104 pounds of fentanyl pills.”

As highlighted by the Press-Enterprise, Riverside law enforcement spokesperson Officer Ryan Railsback acknowledged that Oceguera-Rocha matched the description of the deputy mentioned in the DEA statement. The sheriff’s office revealed his purported pivotal role in trafficking substantial narcotics quantities within Riverside County while off duty. Captain Rob Roggeveen emphasized, “We are utilizing all investigative means to dismantle the drug trafficking organization associated with Oceguera.”

Oceguera-Rocha’s apprehension occurred on September 17 following a traffic stop on Freeway 10 in Calimesa. Authorities discovered approximately 104 pounds of fentanyl pills and a firearm in his possession, resulting in charges including narcotics possession, intent to distribute, weight enhancements, and firearm possession. He entered a plea of not guilty.

The DEA’s “Operation Hotline Bling” culminated in 15 arrests and the seizure of “approximately 376 pounds of methamphetamine, 37.4 pounds of fentanyl, 600,000 fentanyl tablets, 1.4 kilograms of cocaine, and seven firearms.”