"La Azteca Market" owner busted for in-store meth sales. Drug supplier from Mexico arrested in Daly City

Marin and federal drug investigators arrested a San Rafael merchant on allegations of selling methamphetamine from his storefront in a bust Wednesday that also netted a suspected drug trafficker in Daly City.

Both men were expected to appear in federal court on Thursday to face indictments on drug charges. Investigators also seized suspected meth and cocaine in quantities that were still being tabulated.

The arrests capped a one-year investigation that was started by the Marin County Major Crimes Task Force and eventually joined by the federal Drug Enforcement Administration and the U.S. attorney's office in San Francisco.

The merchant was identified as Alfredo Lopez, 50, the proprietor of the Azteca Market at 555 Francisco Boulevard East. Lopez was arrested Wednesday afternoon after a stream of law enforcement vehicles arrived outside the market, which sits in the back of the Harbor Center shopping complex.

Lopez's arrest occurred shortly after authorities arrested the suspected drug supplier, Miguel Angel Macias, in Daly City. Agents took Macias into custody after interrupting his lengthy workout session at Planet Fitness on Junipero Serra Boulevard.

Macias, 24, sat on the curb in a Livestrong athletic shirt and shorts while investigators searched his Audi in the parking lot. Then investigators searched his residence on Third Avenue and a Bruno Avenue residence where he was suspected of stashing drugs, said Sgt. Pierre Ahuncain of the Marin County Major Crimes Task Force. The alleged stash house is about a block from Jefferson High School.

Ahuncain said drug users were regularly buying meth from the Azteca Market in various quantities. Investigators suspect that proceeds from the drug sales were deposited into a cash machine at Azteca and wired to Mexico.

The investigation into the Azteca Market led agents to identify Macias as the suspected drug supplier. Macias is believed to be from the Apatzingan region of Mexico, an area of entrenched cartel activity.

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This is what we can expect when we essentially require nothing more of our immigrants than that they be willing to break the law to enter our country. I feel so enlightened tolerant and inclusive now that we are playing host nation to to members of this microculture. Strengthen the border. Demand more intensive enforcement by ICE. Repeal the AB4 "Trust Act". Viva la Deportaciones!