SAN JOSE, Calif. -- Federal agents have arrested five South Bay men and seized approximately 23 pounds of ice methamphetamine and 9 kilograms of cocaine with a street value of $1 million and $500,000 in cash in a series of raids targeting an alleged drug operation with ties to Mexico.

Drug Enforcement Administration Special Agent in Charge Javier F. Pena and Santa Clara County District Attorney Dolores Carr announced the busts and seizures that concluded an 18-month investigation into a drug distribution ring that stretched from San Jose to Southern California to Atlanta to Mexico.

“This drug trafficking cell was responsible for the transfer of large sums of cash in exchange for substantial amounts of ice methamphetamine and cocaine for distribution in the Bay Area," Pena said in a prepared statement.

"This combined enforcement effort clearly demonstrates our commitment to dismantle these cells and disrupt drug trafficking organizations at their highest levels."

Authorities said the case began in Spring 2006, when agents learned of a drug trafficking cell, allegedly led by Antonio Abarca, of Menlo Park.

The investigation culminated on December 6, when approximately 100 federal, state and local law enforcement officers joined forces to serve six state authorized search warrants and arrest warrants.

All warrants were served without incident.

Those arrested on drug possession and distribution charges were: Roberto Garcia, 63, of San Jose; Matilde Lopez, 28, of San Jose; Luz Santa Reyes, 23, of San Jose; Maria Reyna, 38, of Menlo Park and Orlando Davison, 54, of San Martin.

Outstanding arrest warrants were also filed for Antonio Contreras Abarca, 42, of Menlo Park; Maria Castaneda, 51, of Hemet; Raul Mendoza, 20, of Tracy and Eric Jimenez Barragan, 22, of Riverbank.

This investigation was conducted with assistance from Immigration Customs Enforcement (ICE), Monterey County Sheriff’s Office, Bureau of Narcotic Enforcement (BNE), Santa Clara County Sheriff’s Office, San Jose Police Department, California Highway Patrol (CHP), DEA offices in San Diego Field, CA; Greensboro, NC; Modesto, CA; and Riverside, CA.

All defendants are scheduled for a court appearance at California Superior Court, in Santa Clara County on Friday, December 7.