October 23, 2026 – Placerville, CA – El Dorado County Sheriff's Office officials report that the El Dorado County District Attorney's Office and El Dorado County Sheriff's Office joined 38 law enforcement agencies across 14 counties in Operation Central Valley Blues, a coordinated three-day enforcement initiative targeting illicit drug trafficking, illegal weapons, and associated violent crime throughout Northern and Central California.

Led by Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), San Francisco Field Division; U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of California; U.S. Department of Justice, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Sacramento Field Office; Central Valley California High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (CVC HIDTA) Task Force; and the social media company Meta, the operation resulted in:

• 146 arrests
• 232 charges entered
• 43 weapons seized
• $338,222 in currency seized
• 3,286 lbs. 13.9 oz of narcotics seized
• 18,542 pills seized, including 16,136 fentanyl pills

Narcotics seized included:

• Cannabis: 3,184 lbs. 15.4 oz
• Methamphetamine: 91 lbs. 13.1 oz
• Cocaine: 7 lbs. 12.3 oz
• Psilocybin: 1 lb. 3.2 oz
• Fentanyl: 6.2 oz / 16,136 pills
• Additional controlled substances: GHB, BHO, heroin, MDMA, and ketamine

Building upon Operation Folsom Blues, originally initiated by the Folsom Police Department, the expanded regional initiative brought together federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies, prosecutorial partners, and private-sector partners, including Meta, to combat the use of online platforms to advertise and distribute illegal narcotics.

Since July, participating agencies have investigated leads developed through online drug advertisements, including voluntary referrals originating from Facebook and Instagram. These investigations culminated in coordinated enforcement during the week of October 6th.

“Operation Central Valley Blues reinforces the importance of sustained cooperation among federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies, prosecutorial partners, and the private sector,” said United States Department of Justice, Drug Enforcement Administration, San Francisco Field Division, Special Agent in Charge Bob P. Beris. “This coordinated approach demonstrates how shared resources, intelligence, and investigative capabilities can be used to address emerging criminal threats, strengthen partnerships, and improve public safety.”

“The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of California is proud to collaborate closely with our local, state, and federal partners—including District Attorney’s Offices—on a major operation targeting drug trafficking and firearms offenses,” said United States Attorney for the Eastern District of California Eric Grant. “This coordinated effort reflects our shared commitment to protecting the community, dismantling violent criminal networks, and ensuring that those who endanger public safety are held fully accountable. Through unified investigation and prosecution strategies, we aim to secure the strongest, most effective sentences and deliver lasting impacts on regional safety.”

“Operation Central Valley Blues is a prime example of Central Valley California HIDTA’s core directives: communication, coordination, and collaboration,” said John Martin, CVC HIDTA Director.

El Dorado County Enforcement Results

Locally, West El Dorado Narcotics Enforcement Team (WENET) detectives, assisted by El Dorado County Sheriff's Office patrol deputies and general investigation detectives, El Dorado County Probation, and the El Dorado County District Attorney's Office, conducted three days of targeted narcotics enforcement.

El Dorado County results include:

• 14 arrests
• 3 firearms seized
• 851.82 grams (approximately 1.88 pounds) of methamphetamine seized
• 34.3 grams of fentanyl seized
• 11 law enforcement reports
• 11 methamphetamine pipes recovered
• 1 DUI-related incident
• 1 reckless driving incident
• 1 felony warrant

The operation demonstrates the value of coordinated investigations and intelligence sharing across jurisdictions to disrupt narcotics distribution networks, recover illegal weapons, and address criminal activity affecting local communities.

“I commend the Folsom Police Department for establishing Operation Folsom Blues and DEA Sacramento for expanding this effort across the region. This operation reflects the dedication of law enforcement agencies working together with a shared goal: keeping dangerous drugs off our streets and making our communities safer for the families who call them home,” said Jeff Leikauf, El Dorado County Sheriff.

“Operation Central Valley Blues sends a clear message to drug traffickers: If you choose to bring dangerous drugs into our communities, you will be held accountable,” said Vern Pierson, El Dorado County District Attorney. “Our commitment to protecting El Dorado County from those who profit from illegal narcotics remains unwavering.”

The El Dorado County District Attorney's Office and Sheriff's Office thank the Folsom Police Department, DEA Sacramento, CVC HIDTA, the TRIDENT Task Force, WENET, El Dorado County Probation, and all participating agencies and partners for their contributions to this regional effort.

Source: El Dorado County Sheriff's Office