On April 18, 2026, officers with the Tracy Police Department conducted a traffic enforcement stop on an SUV traveling southbound on Interstate 5. During the stop, K9 Officer Niko alerted to the presence of narcotics.

A subsequent search of the vehicle resulted in the discovery of more than 50 pounds of methamphetamine and a loaded firearm. The driver, Sergio Ortiz Velazquez, along with passengers Raul Orozco Rosales and Francisco Avila Gutierrez, were taken into custody at the scene.

On April 21, 2026, all three defendants were arraigned before the Honorable Judge Guiliani in Department M1 of the Manteca Courthouse. Bail was set at $230,000 for each defendant. Each defendant is currently subject to a 1275 hold, requiring a court hearing before bail can be posted to ensure that any bail funds are not derived from illicit drug trafficking.

San Joaquin County District Attorney Ron Freitas stated, “We will continue to hold individuals accountable who traffic in large quantities of narcotics and carry loaded weapons. This type of criminal activity endangers every community we serve, and it will be met with serious consequences.”

All three defendants are scheduled to return to court for further arraignment on May 4, 2026, at 8:30 a.m. in Dept M1 of the Manteca Courthouse.