News from DEA, Domestic Field Divisions, San Diego News Releases, 10/09/08

News Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 9, 2008
Contact: Special Agent Eileen Zeidler
Number: 858-616-4166

35 Members of a Major Mexican Drug-Trafficking Organization Indicted in Operation Money Train

OCT 09 -- (San Diego, CA) - Thirty-five individuals have been charged in six separate federal indictments involving six illegal narcotics distribution and money laundering cells operating throughout Mexicali, Baja California, Mexico and Calexico, California, United States Attorney Karen P. Hewitt announced today. The six indictments charging the defendants with various narcotics and money-laundering violations,were unsealed today in the Southern District of California following the arrests of 19 defendants; 16 defendants remain at large. All 35 defendants are of a Mexican drug-trafficking organizations operating in Imperial County, California.

The indictments were the result of an 18-month investigation, “Operation Money Train,” targeting international cocaine and methamphetamine distribution cells that were allegedly responsible for smuggling large-scale quantities of cocaine and methamphetamine in to the U.S. from Mexico. According to the indictments, transportation cells were responsible for the imported the illicit drugs to various domestic-based distribution cells and the returned millions of dollars in narcotics proceeds, in the form of bulk currency, to Mexico via hidden non-factory compartments built into passenger vehicles.

DEA Special Agent in Charge Ralph W. Partridge said, “OPERATION MONEY TRAIN focused on the immobilization of six drug transportation cells responsible for the importation of cocaine and methamphetamine into the United States from the Republic of Mexico. Additionally, this investigation focused on halting the repatriation of those illicit proceeds back to the sources of supply. The arrest of these drug trafficking organization members, the seizure of their drugs, and the seizure of the organization’s profit has dealt a damaging blow to this DTO.”

According to documents unsealed today in federal court, the six drug and money transportation cells, termed the “Ma/Rodriguez” Cell, “Verdugo” Cell, “Baez/Flores” Cell, “Banuelos” Cell, “Tizoc” Cell, andthe “Gamez” Cell, are alleged to be responsible for importing cocaine and methamphetamine from Mexico and then transporting the narcotics to other domestic-based traffickers for distribution throughout the UnitedStates. The primary source for the narcotics was the Sinaloa Cartel, based primarily in Culiacan, Sinaloa, Mexico. The investigation resulted in the disruption and seizure of more than $9.5 million dollars in bulk cash that had been destined to be returned to drug-trafficking organizations in Mexico.

According to Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael Kaplan, who is prosecuting the case, Sergio Figueroa (from the Rodriguez/Ma Cell), Juan Ramon Banuelos-Gonzalez (from the Banuelos Cell), Arturo Duran-Aguiar, Mario Ponce Moreno, Jaime Verdugo-Lutt, and Heraclio Verdugo-Lutt (from the Verdugo Cell) were each charged with engaging in a Continuing Criminal Enterprise (CCE), in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Section 848(a). The charge carries a minimum mandatory term of 20 years in prison and a maximum penalty of life in prison. The remaining 29 defendants face charges that carry a minimum mandatory term of 10 years in prison and a maximum of life in prison.

Operation Money Train was investigated and prosecuted as part of the U.S. Department of Justice’s Organized Crime and Drug Enforcement Task Force (“OCDETF”) program, which was created to consolidate and utilize all law enforcement resources in the nation’s efforts to dismantle major drug-trafficking organizations.

United States Attorney Hewitt said, “Operation Money Train is significant because it resulted in not only the seizure of large quantities of illegal narcotics destined for distribution throughout the United States, but it also included some of the largest-ever bulk cash seizures on record in the Southern District of California. The United States currency seized as part of this investigation represents illicit profits of the drug trade that will not reach the hands of drug-trafficking organizations in Mexico.”

Operation Money Train was the result of a coalition of investigative agencies spearheaded by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), located in San Diego and Imperial, California. In particular, United States Attorney Hewitt praised the investigative efforts of the DEA’s Imperial County Office, the El Centro Police Department, and the Imperial County Sheriff’s Department for their outstanding work in this investigation and resulting prosecutions. U.S. Attorney Hewitt also noted with appreciation the logistical and operational support provided by the Calexico Police Department, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, United States Border Patrol, Customs and Border Protection, the Brawley Police Department, and the California Bureau of Narcotics Enforcement.

The defendants are scheduled to be in arraigned in federal court in El Centro on October 9, 2008, before United States Magistrate Judge Peter C. Lewis.

DEFENDANT Case Number: 08cr3373H
Ruben Gamez-Martinez aka Pelon, aka Gordo Calexico, California
SUMMARY OF CHARGES
Conspiracy to Import Controlled Substances, Title 21, U.S.C., Secs. 952, 960 and 963
Maximum Penalties: Life Imprisonment; $4,000,000.00 fine
Conspiracy to Distribute Controlled Substances, Title 21, U.S.C. Secs. 846 and 841(a)(1)
Maximum Penalties: Life Imprisonment; $4,000,000.00 fine
Conspiracy to Launder Monetary Instruments, Title 18, U.S.C., Sec. 1956(h)
Maximum Penalties: Enhanced sentence; Forfeiture
Importation of a Controlled Substance, Title 21, U.S.C. Secs. 952 and 960
Maximum Penalties: Life Imprisonment; $4,000,000.00 fine
Distribution of a Controlled Substance, Title 21, U.S.C., Sec. 841(a)(1)
Maximum Penalties: Life Imprisonment; $4,000,000.00 fine
Criminal Forfeiture, Title 21, U.S.C., Sec. 853 and Title 18, U.S.C., Sec. 982

DEFENDANTS Case Number: 08cr3371BEN
Jose Guadalupe Beltran-Astorga aka Lupillo Mexicali, Baja California, Mexico Fugitive
Oscar Abelino Meza-Gamboa aka Flash Sinaloa, Mexico Fugitive
Carlos de Jesus Rodriguez-Salcido aka Chompis Calexico, California
Alejandro Valentin Ma-Arce aka Chino Mexicali, Baja California, Mexico
Sergio Figueroa aka Calitron, Cubano Brawley, California
Fernando Reynoso, Jr. aka Junior Brawley, California Fugitive
Luis Alfonso Janes Brawley, California
Joseph Milford Flores aka Porkchop Imperial, California
Ricardo Pimentel-Quintero Brawley, California
Ricardo Dominguez-Martinez El Centro, California
Jose de Jesus Ruiz-Ramos Brawley, California
SUMMARY OF CHARGES
Conspiracy to Import Controlled Substances, Title 21, U.S.C., Secs. 952, 960 and 963
Maximum Penalties: Life Imprisonment; $4,000,000.00 fine
Conspiracy to Distribute Controlled Substances, Title 21, U.S.C. Secs. 846 and 841(a)(1)
Maximum Penalties: Life Imprisonment; $4,000,000.00 fine
Importation of a Controlled Substance, Title 21, U.S.C. Secs. 952 and 960
Maximum Penalties: Life Imprisonment; $4,000,000.00 fine
Continuing Criminal Enterprise, Title18, U.S.C., Sec. 848(a)
Maximum Penalties: Life Imprisonment; $4,000,000.00 fine
Distribution of a Controlled Substance, Title 21, U.S.C., Sec. 841(a)(1)
Maximum Penalties: Life Imprisonment; $4,000,000.00 fine
Possession with Intent to Distribute a Controlled Substance, Title 21, U.S.C., Sec. 841(a)(1)
Maximum Penalties: Life Imprisonment; $4,000,000.00 fine
Criminal Forfeiture; Title 21, U.S.C., Sec. 853

DEFENDANTS Case Number: 08cr3370W
Juan Ramon Banuelos-Gonzalez aka el Doc, aka Doctor Mexicali, Baja California, Mexico
Walter Joven Banuelos-Gonzalez Rialto, California
Elvia Samano aka Mom Rialto, California
Arturo Martinez-Cabrera aka Negro Mexicali, Baja California, Mexico Fugitive
Jose Alfredo Quintero-Leon aka Dientes, Dientitos Moreno Valley, California Fugitive
aka Alonzo Domigues
Jose Rochin-Soto aka Rocha, aka la Roncha Mexico Fugitive
Hilda Nomidel Escobar Yuma, Arizona
SUMMARY OF CHARGES
Conspiracy to Import Controlled Substances, Title 21, U.S.C., Secs. 952, 960 and 963
Maximum Penalties: Life Imprisonment; $4,000,000.00 fine
Conspiracy to Distribute Controlled Substances, Title 21, U.S.C. Secs. 846 and 841(a)(1)
Maximum Penalties: Life Imprisonment; $4,000,000.00 fine
Continuing Criminal Enterprise, Title 18, U.S.C., Sec. 848(a)
Maximum Penalties: Life Imprisonment; $4,000,000.00 fine
Conspiracy to Launder Monetary Instruments, Title 18, U.S.C., Sec. 1956(h)
Maximum Penalties: Enhanced sentence; Forfeiture
Criminal Forfeiture, Title 21, U.S.C., Sec. 853 and Title 18, U.S.C., Sec. 982

DEFENDANTS Case Number: 08cr3372JLS
Arturo Duran-Aguiar aka Turi Mexicali, Baja California, Mexico
Mario Ponce-Moreno aka Capi Mexicali, Baja California, Mexico Fugitive
Jaime Eduardo Verdugo-Lutt aka Leo Mexicali, Baja California, Mexico
Heraclio Verdugo-Lutt aka Carlos, aka Cochi Mexicali, Baja California, Mexico Fugitive
Luis Enrique Verdugo-Lutt aka Siete Mexicali, Baja California, Mexico
Francisco Javier Mora-Garcia aka Betin, aka Beto,aka Orejon Mexicali, Baja California,MX Fugitive
Edgar Rogelio Gonzalez-Orozco aka Roy Edgar
Gonzalez-Orozco Mexicali, Baja California, Mexico Fugitive
Allan Javier Bernal-Higareda Mexicali, Baja California, Mexico
Alfredo Gonzalez-Hernandez El Centro, California Fugitive
Alex de Jesus Lopez Brawley, California
Mario Camacho El Centro, California Fugitive
Natalie Noel Mason El Centro, California Fugitive
SUMMARY OF CHARGES
Conspiracy to Import Controlled Substances, Title 21, U.S.C., Secs. 952, 960 and 963
Maximum Penalties: Life Imprisonment; $4,000,000.00 fine
Conspiracy to Distribute aControlled Substances, Title 21, U.S.C. Secs. 846 and 841(a)(1)
Maximum Penalties: Life Imprisonment; $4,000,000.00 fine
Continuing Criminal Enterprise, Title 18, U.S.C., Sec. 848(a)
Maximum Penalties: Life Imprisonment; $4,000,000.00 fine
Importation of a Controlled Substance, Title 21, U.S.C. Secs. 952 and 960
Maximum Penalties: Life Imprisonment; $4,000,000.00 fine
Distribution of a Controlled Substance, Title 21, U.S.C., Sec. 841(a)(1)
Maximum Penalties: Life Imprisonment; $4,000,000.00 fine
Possession with Intent to Distribute a Controlled Substance, Title 21, U.S.C., Sec. 841(a)(1)
Maximum Penalties: Life Imprisonment; $4,000,000.00 fine
Criminal Forfeiture, Title 21, U.S.C., Sec. 853

DEFENDANTS Case Number: 08cr3369L
Marco Antonio Baez-Torres aka Tony Mexicali, Baja California, Mexico Fugitive
Armando Alberto Flores-Mirazo Mexicali, Baja California, Mexico
SUMMARY OF CHARGES
Conspiracy to Import Controlled Substances, Title 21, U.S.C., Secs. 952, 960 and 963
Maximum Penalties: Life Imprisonment; $4,000,000.00 fine
Conspiracy to Distribute Controlled Substances, Title 21, U.S.C. Secs. 846 and 841(a)(1)
Maximum Penalties: Life Imprisonment; $4,000,000.00 fine
Importation of a Controlled Substance, Title 21, U.S.C. Secs. 952 and 960
Maximum Penalties: Life Imprisonment; $4,000,000.00 fine
Distribution of a Controlled Substance, Title 21, U.S.C., Sec. 841(a)(1)
Maximum Penalties: Life Imprisonment; $4,000,000.00 fine
Criminal Forfeiture, Title 21, U.S.C., Sec. 853

DEFENDANTS Case Number: 08cr3374H
Espectacion Tizoc-Urias aka Lento Mexicali, Baja California, Mexico Fugitive
Baudelio Tizoc-Ramirez Mecca, California Fugitive
SUMMARY OF CHARGES
Conspiracy to Import a Controlled Substance, Title 21 U.S.C., Secs. 952, 960 and 963,
Maximum Penalties: Life Imprisonment; $4,000,000.00 fine;
Conspiracy to Distribute a Controlled Substance, Title 21, U.S.C., Secs. 846 and 841(a)(1)
Maximum Penalties: Life Imprisonment; $4,000,000.00 fine
Importation of a Controlled Substance, Title 21, U.S.C., Secs. 952 and 960
Maximum Penalties: Life Imprisonment; $4,000,000.00 fine
Distribution of a Controlled Substance, Title 21, U.S.C., Sec. 841(a)(1)
Maximum Penalties: Life Imprisonment; $4,000,000.00 fine
Criminal Forfeiture, Title 21, U.S.C., Sec. 853

INVESTIGATING AGENCIES
Drug Enforcement Administration
El Centro Police Department
Imperial County District Attorney’s Office
Imperial County Sheriff’s Department
Calexico Police Department
Brawley Police Department
Imperial Police Department
California Bureau of Narcotics Enforcement
Immigration and Customs Enforcement
U.S. Border Patrol
Customs and Border Protection

An indictment itself is not evidence that the defendants committed the crimes charged. The defendants are presumed innocent until the Government meets its burden in court of proving guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

The mission of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) is to enforce the controlled substances laws and regulations of the United States and bring to the criminal and civil justice system of the United States, or any other competent jurisdiction, those organizations and principal members of organizations, involved in the growing, manufacture, or distribution of controlled substances appearing in or destined for illicit traffic in the United States; and to recommend and support non-enforcement programs aimed at reducing the availability of illicit controlled substances on the domestic and international markets.

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