2 Men Charged With Murdering Witnesses, One Pregnant, in Drug Trafficking Probe

Weapons seized during the investigation on Sept. 8, 2022. Courtesy of the United States Attorney's Office

Two suspected drug traffickers are facing federal charges for allegedly participating in the murder of two individuals—including a pregnant woman—to prevent them from testifying in San Diego drug trafficking cases, the U.S. Attorney’s Office announced March 5.

Benjamin Madrigal-Birrueta, 22, and Ricardo Orizaba, 21, are charged in the deaths of Cesar Armando Murillo, 44, and Maira Sofia Hernandez, 33, who was six months pregnant at the time of her death. All were residents of Yakima, Washington.