14 arrested in El Paso-based drug trafficking organization

by Jesse Martinez



Federal and state authorities held a press conference on June 22 to announce the arrest of 14 members of an El Paso-based drug trafficking organization. Credit: KFOX14 / CBS4

EL PASO, Texas (KFOX14) — Federal and state authorities arrested members of the Orrantia Drug Trafficking organization accused of smuggling hundreds of kilograms of cocaine and marijuana into the El Paso area.

Authorities said the drugs would come through El Paso before being transported across the country including Ohio, South Carolina and Colorado for further distribution.

Through its investigation, authorities seized about five kilograms of cocaine, 600 kilograms of marijuana, seven vehicles and more than $138,000 in cash, authorities said.

In total, 13 El Pasoans were arrested along with a Cincinnati resident, Jose Reyes Valdez, 39.

Among those arrested included ringleader Mario Armando Orrantia, 51, of El Paso.

“This week, DEA and our federal, state and local law enforcement partners severely disrupted the Orrantia drug trafficking organization operating here in El Paso,” said Will R. Glaspy, special agent in charge of the El Paso division. “This organization was disguising criminal activity in the form of legitimate business and threatening the safety of the communities in which we work and live. DEA, along with our law enforcement partners, remains committed to bringing to justice those who import and then distribute illegal drugs in our communities.”

Those arrested face charges associated with drug trafficking and money laundering.

The following are the 14 members of the Orrantia drug trafficking organization that were arrested by state and federal authorities:

  • Mario Armando Orrantia, 51.
  • Carmen Alfredo Marquez-Castillo, 63.
  • Angela Leon, 34.
  • Humberto Aleman-Limas, 34.
  • Eduardo Rubalcaba, 42.
  • Hugo Arturo Faudoa, 51.
  • Jerry Minsu Flowers, 45.
  • Pedro Jimenez, 43.
  • Erik Mendoza, 34.
  • Rosalina Gallegos, 40.
  • Bryan Ramirez-Guerrero, 22.
  • Joshua Angel Talamantes, 27.
  • Jerry Lewis, 64.
  • Jose Reyes Valdez, 39.


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