International drug ring with Oklahoma ties busted
A two-year investigation into an international drug trafficking ring that spanned several states, including Oklahoma, has resulted in 17 arrests and the seizure of nearly 20 pounds of illicit narcotics.
On Tuesday, more than 200 local, state and federal law enforcement agents coordinated a series of searches and arrests in Oklahoma and Nevada, and in the process seized 16 pounds of heroin, more than three pounds of methamphetamine, eight firearms and about $30,000 in cash.
This week's enforcement sweep included 14 arrests in various parts of the Sooner State. Previous arrests were made in Oklahoma City and Texas.
Two people charged in the conspiracy are considered fugitives. Rosalynn Zaragoza is suspected of being in the Oklahoma City area. Angel Artemio Gonzalez is believed to be in Ontario, California.
Six of the defendants are Mexican citizens.
Authorities said members of the drug ring acquired heroin and methamphetamine from Mexico, Texas, California, Nevada and elsewhere, for distribution in the Oklahoma City area.
They allegedly stored the drugs at specific addresses in Oklahoma City and used coded language in cellphone conversations to facilitate the distribution.
The coded language included “dark ones” and “choco” for heroin, and “aquas” and “fast ones” for methamphetamine. A pound of heroin was called “michelado.” United States currency was referred to as “tickets.”
U.S. Attorney Timothy J. Downing said Wednesday heroin is a growing threat in the Sooner State.
“Consistent with this administration's prioritization of opioid enforcement, the U.S. Attorney's Office will work closely with law enforcement to keep heroin off of Oklahoma streets,” Downing said. “I could not be more pleased about this successful series of arrests and the cooperation among law enforcement that makes an operation of t his sort possible.”
In addition to one count of conspiracy, the indictment charges various defendants in 37 counts of possession with intent to distribute, 17 counts of using a phone to facilitate a drug felony and four counts of maintaining a premises for the purpose of distributing drugs.
“We have taken down a large-scale drug-trafficking organization dist ri buting significant amounts of heroin throughout the Oklahoma City metro area,” said John P. Scott, assistant special agent in charge of the Drug Enforcement Agency's Oklahoma District.
If found guilty of conspiracy, each defendant faces up to life in prison and a minimum mandatory sentence of 10 years, as well as supervised release of up to life and a fine of up to $10 million.
Convictions of possession with intent to distribute would carry maximum sentences of 20 years, 40 years, or life, depending on the drug amounts alleged in each count.
Each count of using a phone to facilitate a drug felony would carry a maximum sentence of four years upon conviction. A conviction on the counts of maintaining a drug- involved premises would carry a maximum sentence of 20 years.
Authorities said members of the drug ring acquired heroin and methamphetamine from Mexico, Texas, California, Nevada and elsewhere, for distribution in the Oklahoma City area.