Feds bust 7 men for trafficking heroin, 6 here illegally

Posted: July 22, 2009 01:53 PM CDT

Updated: July 22, 2009 03:00 PM CDT


Benigno Arellano Hernandez (Photo courtesy of Mecklenburg County Jail)



Fernandez Arturo Cabello (Photo courtesy of Mecklenburg County Jail)



Javier Torres Gutierrez (Photo courtesy of Mecklenburg County Jail)



Joaquin Hernandez Perez (Photo courtesy of Mecklenburg County Jail)






CHARLOTTE, NC (WBTV) - Seven men were indicted by a federal grand jury in Charlotte on Wednesday on one count of alleging conspiracy to distribute and possess heroin.

Agents with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) made the arrests on June 30 and July 20, 2009.

The DEA seized 940 grams, or more than two pounds, of black tar heroin which is a more potent form of powder heroin.

Authorities say the men allegedly received heroin from Mexico and used a local "dispatch" system to distribute the drug to their customers. Purchasers would call a number to request the heroin and a dispatcher would direct the purchaser to a location where a runner would meet the purchaser to conduct the transaction.

On July 30th, the DEA searched an address in Charlotte and another location in Rock Hill where they seized $20,163 and approximately three quarters of a kilogram of black tar heroin.

The Charlotte location was the primary distribution point for the operation, according to court documents.

Authorities arrested Javier Torres Gutierrez, 20; Loanis Alberto Cabanillas, 19; Fernandez Arturo Cabello, 42; Benigno Arellano Hernandez, 18; Diego Alonso Villalobos Rivera, 18; Joaguin Hernandez Perez, 39; and Trinidad Saigado Renteria, 24. Six of these men are in the country illegally.

The five arrested on June 30 are being held in jail without bond. The two arrested on July 20 are in jail and will have a detention hearing on July 24.

If convicted, each of the defendants could face between 10 years to life in prison, and a $4,000,000 fine.

http://www.wbtv.com/global/story.asp?s=10771505