Thursday 11 April 2013

Drug dealers tied to Mexican trafficking organization caught in massive bust

Drug dealers tied to Mexican trafficking organization caught in massive bust, A coordination of efforts among central Texas law enforcement agencies with federal and state authorities resulted in the massive arrests of 37 people connected with a Mexican drug trafficking gang yesterday.

Centered in the Austin area, United States Attorney Robert Pitman, Federal Bureau of Investigation Special Agent in Charge Armando Fernandez, and Drug Enforcement Administration Special Agent in Charge Javier Pena, indicate the individuals were charged with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and distribution of methamphetamine.

"The indictment also charges Gabriel Trevino with one count of possession with intent to distribute and distribution of heroin. Jose Rodriguez, Jose Hernandez, Genaro Arellano, and Maria Granados also face one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering," said Pitman.

"Authorities allege that Jose Rodriguez-Campuzano was the Austin cell head of a large Mexican-based trafficking organization associated with the Knights Templar."

The San Antonio FBI field office said the gang used hidden compartments in automobiles to ship methamphetamine and cocaine to Jesse Trevino’s business, JT Body and Paint in Austin, where it would be prepared for shipment to distributors in Dallas, Oklahoma City, as well as cities in other states.

Authorities seized over 75 kilograms of methamphetamine, 10 kilograms of cocaine, and two kilograms of heroin attributed to this distribution network.

A separate federal grand jury indictment unsealed yesterday, charges 14 individuals for their roles in a cocaine and methamphetamine distribution operation.

The alleged leader of the organization, Jose Escamilla, as well as Rafael Ayala, Dai Zavala, Trocalle Amos, and Brian Griffin are charged conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine and methamphetamine.

During the investigation, agents were able to seize multiple loads of drugs and proceeds from the sale of drugs. On one occasion, a load of 20 kilograms of cocaine was seized from a hidden compartment in an 18 wheeler. Agents seized multiple kilogram quantities of cocaine and marijuana during the course of the investigation as well as over $1,000,000 in suspected drug proceeds.

“The indictments returned this week represent the latest blow by federal and state law enforcement agencies against drug trafficking organizations in and around Austin. As a result of these charges, we hope to take more than 40 alleged drug dealers out of circulation and expect the evidence to show that their activities involved the distribution of millions of dollars’ worth of methamphetamine, cocaine, and other illegal drugs in this community and beyond,” stated United States Attorney Robert Pitman.

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