Operation Crystal Tract: 16-Month Drug Trafficking Case Leads to 23 Arrests, 17 Guns, Drugs, $100,000 in Cash
November 3, 2026 – Tulare County Sheriff’s Office officials report that after a 16-month effort to dismantle major drug trafficking organizations operating throughout Tulare and Kings Counties ended Thursday in a massive, multi-agency operation that resulted in 23 arrests and the seizure of guns, drugs and about $100,000 in cash.
Dubbed “Operation Crystal Tract,” the case began in June 2025 when Tulare County Sheriff’s Office Detectives began targeting drug traffickers in the area.
The initial phase focused on Fidel Vasquez and Xaiver Medrano of Tulare. As the case developed, Detectives identified additional suspects and their connections to larger drug trafficking networks operating throughout the Central Valley.
By March 2026, the focus expanded to Juan Plascencia, also known as “Bronco,” of Visalia, and his brother, Gustavo Plasencia. Over the following months, Detectives identified three separate drug trafficking organizations, numerous suspected associates and three potential stash-house locations throughout Tulare and Kings Counties.
The case ended Thursday when local, state and federal law enforcement agencies joined forces to carry out a coordinated takedown involving 22 search warrant locations, six federal arrest warrants and 20 state warrants.
Thursday’s operation resulted in 23 arrests and the seizure of:
17 firearms
3 pounds of meth
1 kilogram of fentanyl
11 pounds of marijuana
36 grams of cocaine
96 Xanax pills
9 grams of mushrooms
30 ounces of DMT, a hallucinogenic drug
$100,000 in cash
“This operation was about dismantling a criminal drug trafficking organization and holding those responsible accountable,” Sheriff Mike Boudreaux said. “Let me be absolutely clear- This investigation and enforcement operation did not involve immigration enforcement, nor was Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) contacted or involved,” he said. “My responsibility as Sheriff is to protect the people of Tulare County, and I will never compromise that mission. I remain firmly committed to working alongside our local, state, and federal law enforcement partners to identify, track down, and put violent wanted felons who pose a threat to our communities behind bars where they belong.”
The Tulare County Sheriff’s Office was joined by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), U.S. Marshals Service, California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR), Visalia Police Department, Porterville Police Department, Tulare Police Department and Kings County Sheriff’s Office.
“Drug trafficking organizations remain a significant threat to public safety, public health, and national security across the United States,” said Special Agent in Charge Bob P. Beris of the DEA San Francisco Field Division. “DEA will continue to dismantle dangerous drug trafficking organizations and cut off their drug supply before methamphetamine, fentanyl and other deadly poisons reach our homes, streets, and recreational areas. We fight relentlessly alongside our local, state, and federal partners protecting communities from harm.”
The coordinated effort marks a significant step toward dismantling drug trafficking networks responsible for bringing dangerous drugs into communities throughout Tulare and Kings Counties.
Sheriff Boudreaux remains committed to working with local, state and federal partners to combat drug trafficking, remove dangerous drugs from our streets and keep our communities safe.
Source & photos: Tulare County Sheriff’s Office
