Pubdate: Wed, 01 Nov 2000
Source: Los Angeles Times (CA)
Copyright: 2000 Los Angeles Times
Contact:  Times Mirror Square, Los Angeles, CA 90053
Fax: (213) 237-7679
Website: http://www.latimes.com/
Forum: http://www.latimes.com/discuss/
Author: Richard Marosi, Times Staff Writer

GANG LEADER CONVICTED OF DRUG CHARGES

A Santa Ana gang leader was found guilty of federal drug trafficking 
charges Thursday, capping a two-year investigation that authorities said 
broke the back of one of Southern California's largest drug distribution 
networks.

Jose Castellon faces life in prison when sentenced March 19. He was 
convicted of heroin and cocaine trafficking, and manufacturing 
methamphetamines. The Castellon-led ring, authorities said, was responsible 
for making $1 million worth of methamphetamines a month.

The verdict caps a two-year investigation that resulted in 13 other 
convictions against Alley Boys gang members or associates. Authorities said 
the gang operated for more than a decade and had expanded to other states.

"Their convictions and incarceration will have a great impact on gang and 
narcotics activity in our city," said Santa Ana Police Sgt. Raul Luna. "We 
considered them to be major dealers."

Federal and local authorities said the probe, which ended in late 1998, 
targeted the upper levels of the gang hierarchy. Using wiretaps, 
investigators tape-recorded more than 1,000 telephone calls between 
Castellon and underlings.

The recordings, federal prosecutors said, were the key evidence presented 
during the one-month trial in Santa Ana. Jurors deliberated less than four 
hours before returning the guilty verdicts against Castellon and his 
brother, Javier Ponce Castellon, who also faces a life sentence. 
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