Yesterday’s announcement by multiple law enforcement agencies of targeted raids and the arrests of 12 members of a Latino gang known as the Varrio Pasadena Rifa threw a spotlight onto what authorities say is a local connection to the Mexican Sinaloa drug cartel.
Federal charges were filed against 24 members and associates of the Pasadena-based gang. Authorities said the indicted are  members of a “violent” gang that distributes large quantities of methamphetamine, cocaine and heroin from Mexico in the city of Pasadena and  throughout Southern California.
The suspects were arrested after an 18-month investigation dubbed “Operation Rosebud” was mounted by the Pasadena Police Department working with the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Drug Enforcement Agency, the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Dept., and other law enforcement organizations.
“The Varrio Pasadena Rifa (VPR) is a violent, and one of Pasadena’s oldest, street gangs, consisting of more than 50 documented gang members,” the task force said in a statement. “VPR members are known to control their distribution of illegal narcotics through violence and intimidation.”
Varrio translates in English to “neighborhood†and Rifa means “we rule,†or “we are the best,†police said.
More than 60 pounds of methamphetamine, heroin and powder cocaine from sources linked to the drug trafficking organization were seized by the authorities.
Early in the investigation, authorities allege, Altadenan Edwin Ayala was identified as a supplier of methamphetamine to Varrio gang members, as well as members and associates of other area gangs.
The task force said their investigation showed that Ayala was being supplied with methamphetamine by defendant Jose Villa, also known as “Kex,†and additional defendants who were allegedly supplying Villa, including an unidentified defendant, who is believed to receive his supply of multiple pound quantities of methamphetamine from Sinaloa, Mexico.
A federal grand jury in Los Angeles has handed down three indictments and charges were filed against the defendants for a variety of violations relative to the narcotics distribution networks. The three indictments outline a series of narcotics transactions in varying quantities and at varying prices negotiated by the defendants using used coded language on phone and text conversations to disguise drug transactions.
During Operation Rosebud, the task force seized approximately 60.5 pounds of methamphetamine, 6 pounds of tar heroin and 5 pounds of powder cocaine from sources linked to the drug trafficking organizations.
The estimated street value of the narcotics exceeds $2.5 million. The task force also seized four vehicles and approximately $40,000 in cash. Additional evidence, including items associated with methamphetamine production, were seized during today’s search.
Two that got away: The two men pictured above slipped through Thursday’s dragnet. Vidal Vasquez Garcia, 32, and Osvaldo Limas, 39, are wanted by authorities and thought to be members of the Varrios Pasadena Rifa gang. [Photo: Operation Rosebud]Two of the defendants were already in custody prior to today’s operation; two of the defendants were deported; three of the defendants are unidentified subjects; 12 defendants were arrested during this morning’s operation; and five are considered fugitives.
Those charged in the federal indictments include:
• Dora Alicia Vasquez, also known as “Dora Sanchez,†29, Pasadena (arrested)
• Ernest Gabriel Alderette, also known as “Ernie,†“Turtle,†32, Pasadena  (arrested)
• Edwin Benjamin Ayala, also known as “Dex,†34, Altadena  (arrested)
Suspects Vidal Vasquez Garcia, 32, of Lancaster and Osvaldo Hernandez Limas, 39, Â also of Lancaster, remain at large.
The law enforcement is asking the public’s assistance in their apprehension. If anyone from the public has information on either one’s whereabouts, contact the Pasadena Police Department at (626) 744-4241 or the FBI at (310) 477-6565.
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