KY-Metro drug ring tied to Mexican cartel
Metro drug ring tied to Mexican cartel
Posted: Nov 21, 2012 3:44 PM CSTUpdated: Nov 21, 2012 3:44 PM CST
By Maira Ansari -
LOUISVILLE, KY (WAVE) - Four people are under arrest on drug charges and over 2,400 pounds of marijuana are off the streets after an eight month investigation which police say was connected to a drug cartel in Mexico known for violence.
LMPD says the arrests came after multiple search warrants were served early Wednesday at two Okolona homes - one in the 6300 block of Hackberry Way and a second in the 10100 block of Winding River Way.
In addition to the marijuana seized, Mitchell said officers also confiscated approximately $1.6 million in cash.
"The money just kept coming from every room in the house, the basement, upstairs, to first floor," said Lt. Rich Pearson.
"Two o'clock in the morning, my kids were actually in the driveway when it happened and police were coming up guns were drawn," said neighbor Heather Reynolds. "They were really freaked out."
Police arrested four people - Horacio D. Magana, 22, Maritzein R. Rangel, 20, Evelia Macias-Farias, 39, and Elias Vazquez-Garcia, 40 - are charged with trafficking in marijuana over five pounds and engaging in an organized criminal syndicate. Police say they are all illegal immigrants.
During a press conference Wednesday morning, police linked the four people charged to the violent Zeta drug cartel. The Zetas are considered by the U.S. government to be the most technologically advanced, sophisticated, and dangerous cartel operating in Mexico.
Police say the suspects did a good job of blending in and may have chose the area because Louisville is the 16th largest city with major interstates running through.
"What they were doing is bringing the drugs up from Mexico through whatever route they were taking," said Lt. Pearson. "Louisville is a jump off point we believe they mass the drugs here and distribute them to other locations. Some of it I'm sure was distributed in Louisville. Other parts were distributed in Kentucky probably up north."
Police say the marijuana has a street value of more than two million dollars. The suspects will be in court on Friday.
A juvenile boy was found in the home. he's now with family members
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