Thread: IN:Seizure Nets 27 Guns, Thousands Of Dollars of Drugs

'Historic' Seizure Nets 27 Guns, Thousands Of Dollars In Drugs
8 Arrested In Series Of Raids

POSTED: 11:23 am EST March 3, 2011
UPDATED: 12:51 am EST March 4, 2011

INDIANAPOLIS -- A heavily armed drug trafficking organization operating in Indianapolis and Hamilton County was brought down earlier this week in raids authorities described as historic.

U.S. Attorney Joe Hogsett, Marion County Prosecutor Terry Curry and other officials said Thursday that raids in Indianapolis and Fishers netted 27 firearms, $34,000 in cash and three pounds of methamphetamine.

"It is clear that they were a very sophisticated drug trafficking organization," said Hogsett.

"Among the firearms seized were 9 mm assault pistols, SKS-type assault rifles and a 9 mm MAC 10, along with hundreds of rounds of ammunition," the Marion County Prosecutor's Office and U.S. Attorney's Office said in a joint news release.

Six people face federal charges and two more face state charges in connection with the raid. Four children, including an infant, were also taken into custody by Child Protective Services.

Ricardo Diaz, 32, Irma Lorena Escalera-Avalos, 34, Miguel Martinez, 20, Leodegario Martinez-Rios, 38, Daniels Sandoval, 41 and Alondra Villa, 27, were arrested on charges of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine.

Five of the people charged are from Mexico, with the sixth an Indianapolis resident.

In a separate but connected raid on a storage unit and a home in Fishers, authorities seized 10 more guns, additional methamphetamine and cash.

Two more people -- Eleazar Archuleta, 42, and Elena Garcia, 27 -- face charges of possession of cocaine, possession of cocaine with a firearm, possession of methamphetamine and possession of marijuana.

"I've grown weary of people talking about guns and drugs. The time for talking about the problem is over," Hogsett said.

"There are more guns and drugs off the streets today because of a cooperative effort among federal and local law enforcement officers," Curry said. "We will vigorously prosecute this case to its conclusion."

"These people won't be out on the streets pumping this poison into our community," said Barry Glickman, Assistant U.S. Attorney.

Several agencies were involved in the investigation, including police in Indianapolis, Carmel, Hamilton County, Hancock County and Lawrence.

http://www.theindychannel.com/news/27065562/detail.html

Members of Heavily Armed Indianapolis Drug Trafficking
DOJ Release
http://www.alipac.us/ftopicp-1193138.html