Drug probe's wide net yields 33 indictments

Drug probe's wide net yields 33 indictments
Thursday, June 19, 2008
From staff reports Huntsville Times

Nearly 4-year joint effort stretched to California, Mexico

A nearly four-year drug investigation has culminated with a 138-count indictment involving 33 people, law enforcement officials announced.

The investigation stretched from Morgan and Madison counties and across North Alabama to Texas, California and Mexico. The indictment follows the May 16 arrests of 13 people in the same investigation.

"This joint state, local and federal investigation was headed by the Drug Enforcement Administration and was worked with the Huntsville/Madison County HIDTA (High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area) Program," said U.S. Attorney Alice H. Martin. "This investigation and the indictment will significantly impact a large drug trafficking organization which has been operating in the Northern District of Alabama and has been receiving large quantities of drugs from Texas, California and Mexico."

"All of the investigators are to be commended for their hard work and long hours in bringing this case to indictment and working to keep these illegal drugs off our streets."

The suspects are charged with conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute cocaine, crack cocaine and marijuana. The conspiracy took place from about September 2004 to May 16, Martin said.

The maximum possible penalty is not less than 10 years and not more than life in prison, a fine of up to $4 million and a term of supervised release of not less than 5 years.

Several also face money laundering, drug trafficking and weapons offenses.

The investigation has resulted in the seizure of approximately 35 kilograms of cocaine, 85 pounds of marijuana, more than $400,000 in cash, numerous firearms and at least 18 vehicles, she said.

"This case is a prime example of multi-agency cooperation and coordination," said Huntsville Director of Public Safety Rex Reynolds. "The collaborative efforts of DEA, HIDTA, and other law enforcement agencies demonstrate how this kind of cooperation can make a difference and have a significant impact on drug trafficking in our community."

The investigation was conducted by the DEA, Huntsville/Madison County High-Intensity Drug Trafficking Area-Program (HIDTA), Morgan County Sheriff's Department Narcotics Unit, Decatur Police Department, Internal Revenue Service, Lawrence County Drug Task Force, Lauderdale County Drug Task Force, Colbert County Drug Task Force, Bureau of Immigration and Customs Enforcement and the Alabama Alcoholic Beverage Control Board.

"By combining forces, they have managed to completely dismantle an organization that utilized the trucking industry to smuggle more than 250 kilograms of cocaine and thousands of pounds of marijuana from Mexico to northern Alabama, and to smuggle millions of dollars in bulk currency back to Mexico," said Greg Borland, DEA assistant special agent in charge. "Clearly, these arrests and seizures will significantly affect the availability of drugs in the area."

Indicted on the conspiracy charges were:

Luis Martin Aguilar 32, Apple Valley, Calif.; Noe Arellano, 25, Raymondville, Texas; Anastacio Ayala, 30, Tillamook, Ore.; Ramon Barajas, 26, Hartselle; Evelyn Barnes, 24, Tupelo, Miss.; Carlos Fernando Bernal, 48, Decatur; Roderick Buford, 33, Decatur; Mario Comacho, 26, Decatur; Robert Michael Evans, 32, Warrior; Aldo Garza, 28, Brownsville, Texas;

Yolanda Goodlow, 32, Hillsboro; Fernando Maurice Harris, 40, Decatur; Norman Carroll Harris, 46, Harvest; Tanya Carletta Harris, 37, Muscle Shoals; Israel Hernandez, 36, Huntsville; James Dwayne Hicks, 35, Decatur; Jorge Sebastian Huerta, 30, Huntsville; Kiki Leach, 29, Booneville, Miss.;

Bruno Flores Leal, 40, Los Fresnos, Texas; Jose Guadalupe Martinez, 30, Brownsville, Texas; Zorre Matthews, 30, Decatur; Quintin Dangelo McCoy, 25, Town Creek; Edy de la Pena, 40, Mission, Texas; Pete de la Pena, 35, Donna, Texas; Omar Pinales, 30, Brownsville, Texas; Martha Rosa Sanchez, 33, Hartselle; George Deshawn Smith, 32, Muscle Shoals; Pamela Ruth Terry, 42, Courtland; Shawn Mondello Walker, 36, Huntsville; Dave Willingham IV, 44, Town Creek; Reco Willingham, 31, Hillsboro; Galdino Zamora, 32, Decatur; and Daniel Zavala-Salgado, 25, Fontana, Calif.

© 2008 The Huntsville Times.

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