Four Arrests Made In Jail Drug-Smuggling Investigation

In February of 2024, the Riverside County Sheriff’s Office Corrections Investigation Bureau began an investigation into inmates in county jail smuggling illegal drugs into the jail via the U S Postal Service.

The inmates were getting help from someone outside the jail.

Several inmates were smuggling fentanyl, heroin, PCP, and methamphetamine. 

Multiple letters containing illicit drugs were intercepted by jail staff. 

On Wednesday April 24th 2024, a search warrant was served at a home on Clinton Street just north of Interstate 10  in Indio. 

Deputies arrested 32 year old  Melissa Troncoso  of Indio, and grabbed evidence consistent with facilitating and smuggling narcotics into the jail, including 4.5 ounces of methamphetamine, 3.5 ounces of heroin, and 6 ounces of concentrated cannabis.

In total, four arrest were made:

• Melissa Troncoso was arrested for possession for sale of methamphetamine, possession for sale of heroin, possession for sale of concentrated cannabis, smuggling narcotics into a correctional facility, conspiring to smuggle narcotics into a correctional facility, and child endangerment. She was booked into the Cois Byrd Detention Center.
• Eric Guzman, 26-year-old resident of Indio (already in custody for other charges), conspiring to smuggle narcotics into a correctional facility.
• Christian Kong, 33-year-old resident of Indio, (already in custody for other charges), conspiring to smuggle narcotics into a correctional facility.
• Daniel Mendez, 30-year-old resident of Indio, (already in custody for other charges), conspiring to smuggle narcotics into a correctional facility.

This investigation was part of the Riverside County Sheriff’s Office ongoing mission to prevent narcotics from getting into the correctional facilities. The diligence of our deputies during searches, implementation of the nonintrusive sensor and scanning device known as the “Tek-84,” and comprehensive criminal investigations such as this are among several measures the Riverside County Sheriff’s Office has taken to combat the supply of narcotics into our jail system. Inmate education is a priority within our jails and inmates are furnished with educational material and classes about the dangers of narcotics, with an emphasis on fentanyl, provided by the Detention Health Services Division of the Riverside University Health System.

Metal police handcuffs

Photo from Alpha Media Portland OR