12 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY NOVEMBER 13-19, 2025 www.montereycountynow.com Among the narcotics seized on Oct. 27 as part of a large-scale drug trafficking investigation were more than 23 pounds of fentanyl—enough to kill the population of Monterey County, 12 times over. “Fentanyl is a poison, and it kills indiscriminately,” Monterey County District Attorney Jeannine Pacioni said at a press conference on Monday, Nov. 10. “This is a staggering amount, and alarming for those of us in law enforcement and in the prosecutors office.” The fentanyl bust was the largest in the Salinas Police Department’s history and part of an investigation involving multiple agencies over the course of a year-and-a-half called Operation Logged Out. Confiscated items included millions of dollars worth of narcotics: 26 pounds of methamphetamine, 6 pounds of fentanyl “M30” pills in addition to 17 pounds of powder fentanyl, 1 ounce of heroin and 11 grams of cocaine. Nine people, all residents of Monterey County, were arrested, with one couple—Matthew Loggins, 44, and Karen Guadalupe Loggins, 33, of Salinas—allegedly at the helm. In late 2024, the Salinas Police Department’s Violence Suppression Task Force began investigating. The task force found that the Loggins couple created a network using multiple individuals as “drug runners,” who transported narcotics from Southern California to the Monterey County area, particularly Salinas’ Chinatown neighborhood, an area already struggling with homelessness and repeated overdose deaths. Often, officers say, Matthew and/or Karen Loggins would follow closely behind in separate vehicles to ensure the drugs arrived safely. Among the more disturbing discoveries, investigators said, was that the Loggins couple would accept EBT, or Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program funds, as payment for drugs. In June of this year, investigators in the Monterey County District Attorney’s Office began reviewing search warrants and analyzing financial reports and documents from financial institutions to trace illicit activities tied to the trafficking of drugs and welfare fraud. Their investigation discovered 30 separate incidents of EBT fraud. Pacioni noted that because their involvement in the investigation came later, the number of welfare fraud incidents was likely much larger than what they were able to capture at that point. “The Loggins’ drug trafficking organization profited on some of our community’s most vulnerable residents, those living unhoused and battling addiction,” Salinas Police Chief Carlos Acosta said. On Monday, Oct. 27, three search warrants—two at residences and one at a storage unit, all belonging to the Logginses—were executed. In addition to the narcotics, more than $435,000 in cash, jewelry and designer bags, two firearms, and two vehicles were seized. Signature stamp markings found on the narcotics and evidence from drug packaging indicated direct ties to Mexican cartel associates. The Logginses were arraigned on Oct. 30 and both entered a plea of not guilty. Their attorneys were not reachable by the Weekly’s deadline. Safer Streets A multi-agency operation led to the largest fentanyl drug bust in Salinas Police history. By Katie Rodriguez “This case should send a clear message to anyone who thinks they can profit from addiction or prey on those struggling in our city,” Salinas Police Chief Carlos Acosta said on Monday, Nov. 10. NEWS “This is a staggering amount.” DANIEL DREIFUSS We’re proud to be ranked among the top-performing banks in the nation by American Banker, Bank Director, Newsweek, S&P Global and the Independent Community Bankers of America. Now that’s strength you can bank on when you put your money where your life is. 300 Bonifacio Place | Monterey 480 S. Main Street | Salinas 831.457.5000 | wccb.com Local Strength. National Recognition. From the Central Coast to Silicon Valley, businesses trust West Coast Community Bank because we deliver. Jorge Reguerin VP SBA Business Development Officer Lillian Mulvey AVP Loan Portfolio Manager Vern Horton Client Relations Manager *Take larger quantities—like leftover turkey fryer oil—to your local household hazardous waste collection facility Scrap the drain to protect critical infrastructure and the environment! ClogBusters.org TRASH* Cooking oil and grease GREEN CART Food scraps without a bag RECIPE FOR CLOG-FREE HOLIDAYS • Southern Monterey Bay Dischargers Group ReGen Monterey •
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