Humboldt County Drug Task Force release:

Law enforcement is still seeking the DTO’s alleged leader, Alejandro Luna

Since the summer of 2021 the Humboldt County Drug Task Force (HCDTF) has been investigating a large drug trafficking organization (DTO) led by Alejandro Ramirez Luna (52 years old from Eureka). During the investigation agents were able to identify multiple houses in Eureka that Luna was using to hide large quantities of methamphetamine.

On December 12th, 2021 agents conducted surveillance on an associate of Luna’s as he drove Luna’s truck to the Central Valley to pick up more methamphetamine. Agents authored a search warrant for the vehicle and all residences and co-conspirators involved in the Luna DTO. The warrant was signed by a Humboldt County Superior Court Judge.

Marte Espitia

On December 13, 2021, at approx. 1:15am agents followed the truck back into Humboldt County. A Humboldt County Sheriff’s Deputy made a traffic stop on the vehicle on Highway 101 in Cook’s Valley. Agents detained the driver, Marte Omar Espitia (58 years old from Eureka). K-9 Bodhi from the HCDTF conducted a search of the truck and alerted to a Shop-Vac machine. Agents found a hidden compartment in the bottom of the Shop-Vac that contained 4 pounds of methamphetamine.

Espitia was transported to the Humboldt County Jail where he was booked for the following charges:

• 11379(b) H&S Transportation of controlled substances across non-contiguous counties
• 11378 H&S Possession of methamphetamine for sale
• 182 PC Conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine

Four pounds of alleged meth

HCDTF agents assisted by the Eureka Police Department (EPD) and Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO) followed up the arrest by serving three search warrants. Agents served the first search warrant at Luna’s residence in the 1300 block of 9th St. in Eureka. Luna was not home at the time of the search warrant. Agents located small quantities of methamphetamine inside of Luna’s residence.

Stephen Egan

The next search warrant was served in the 200 block of 14th St. in Eureka. At this residence agents located approx. 3 ounces of methamphetamine along with two loaded handguns. Agents arrested Stephan Paul Egan (63 years old) for the following charges. Egan was booked at the Humboldt County Jail:

• 11370.1 H&S Possession of controlled substances while armed
• 11378 H&S Possession of methamphetamine for sale
• 11366 H&S Operating or maintaining a drug house
• 182 PC Conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine

William Tindle

The third search warrant was served at a residence in the 2200 block of G St. in Eureka. At this location agents detained William Joseph Tindle (58 years old). Agents conducted a search of Tindle’s residence where they located approx. two pounds of methamphetamine and 7 firearms.

Tindle was transported to the Humboldt County Jail where he was booked for the following charges:

• 11366 H&S Operating or maintaining a drug house
• 11378 H&S Possession of methamphetamine for sale
• 182 PC Conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine
• 11370.1 H&S Possession of controlled substances while armed

In total agents seized approx. 6 pounds of methamphetamine and 9 firearms from this DTO.

Agents are looking for Alejandro Ramirez Luna and ask that if anybody has information as to his location that they contact the HCDTF.

Anyone with information related to this investigation or other narcotics related crimes are encouraged to call the Humboldt County Drug Task Force at 707-267-9976.