News Release [printer friendly]
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 03, 2011
Contact: SA Will Taylor
Number: 312-886-2597

Members of Heavily Armed Indianapolis Drug Trafficking
Organization Arrested

27 firearms and three pounds of methamphetamine seized

MAR 03 – INDIANAPOLIS – United States Attorney Joseph H. Hogsett and Marion County Prosecutor Terry Curry announced today the dismantlement of a heavily armed Indianapolis area drug trafficking organization. On March 1, 2011, a series of arrests and seizures in Marion and Hamilton Counties by agents of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and members of the Metro Drug Task Force resulted in the seizure of 27 firearms, approximately three pounds of methamphetamine and $33,950 in United States currency. Among the firearms seized were a 9mm pistols, SKS-type assault rifles, and a 9mm MAC-10, along with hundreds of rounds of ammunition.

The following six individuals were charged in a federal complaint with conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine:

Ricardo Diaz, 32, Mexico
Irma Lorena Escalera-Avalos, 34, Mexico
Miguel Martinez, 20, Mexico
Leodegario Martinez-Rios, 38, Mexico
Daniel Sandoval, 41, Mexico
Alondra Villa, 27, Indianapolis

During the course of the investigation, law enforcement obtained consent to search a storage unit on Britton Park Drive in Fishers, Indiana, and a residence in Fishers. At the storage unit agents recovered two 9mm pistols, three SKS-type assault rifles, two revolvers, ammunition, and magazines. During the search of the residence in Fishers, agents recovered a loaded Mac 12 .380, a loaded Smith and Wesson 9mm, ammunition, magazines, large amounts of packaging materials, heat sealers, digital, scales, approximately two pounds of methamphetamine, and approximately $4,000 in United States currency.

“As I have said before, I’ve grown weary of people talking about guns and drugs. The time for talking about the problem is over,â€