Drug trafficking bust capped a 3-year investigation
Police say network smuggled drugs and weapons

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RUTH LIAO - Statesman Journal

January 8, 2008

Federal investigators arrested 19 people on drug charges after a three-year investigation uncovered a large-scale narcotics ring trafficking cocaine and methamphetamine through Salem, officials said.

Eight people appeared in federal court Monday. Arrests on state and federal charges were made Sunday and Monday, according to a U.S. District Court indictment.

More than 4 pounds of cocaine and small quantities of methamphetamine and marijuana were found during the raids on 13 locations, the indictment said.

The indictment described a network of dealers who smuggled drugs and firearms between the U.S. and Mexico. Several weapons caches were found in three Salem homes.

More than a dozen search warrants were executed within the 48-hour period by a task force of local, state and federal law enforcement officials.

Authorities continue to investigate, said Assistant U.S. Attorney Jennifer Martin. A trial is scheduled for March 11.

DEA Special Agent in Charge Arnold R. Moorin described the smuggling as a "highly sophisticated drug trafficking network."

Nine people were named in the indictment: Ricardo Garcia-Rojo, Apolinar Almonte-Vazquez, Jose Soto-Garcia, Armando Valdespino-Romero, Esmeralda Colmenares-Chiprez, Augustin German Mayorga, Rody Jocsan Romero-Torres, Ademir Hernandez-Arciga and Yudel Omar Sanchez. Six of the men face possible deportation.

The group faces federal drug charges of conspiracy to manufacture, distribute and possess methamphetamine; importing and distributing cocaine; and using communication to commit these crimes.

The defendants each face a maximum penalty of life imprisonment and $4 million in fines, Martin said.

The investigation began in 2005 when federal authorities dismantled a Salem-based drug ring known as the Arevalo-Cuevas drug trafficking organization, the indictment said.

In May of that year, agents seized a methamphetamine laboratory near Brownsville in Linn County that was capable of producing 70 pounds of methamphetamine at a time. They also found more than $187,000 in cash, firearms and other evidence of long-term drug trafficking in the Salem area. Thirteen members of the organization were convicted in that case.

Further investigation showed that drugs continued to be trafficked in Salem, leading to the current drug bust, court records said.

Since September 2007, investigators tapped seven cell phones used by the drug trafficking organization and determined that methamphetamine and cocaine were being distributed throughout Oregon, Washington and California, the indictment said. Members would smuggle the drugs using vehicles with hidden compartments. They also smuggled illegal firearms from the U.S. to Mexico.

The indictment described the network's key players, including ringleader Ricardo Garcia-Rojo, also known as "Chino."

In December 2007, agents listened to Garcia-Rojo's conversations that described drugs being shipped from California to Oregon.

On Dec. 7, DEA agents stopped and searched a Nissan Quest on Interstate 5 in Southern Oregon and found about 16.7 pounds of cocaine and 3.6 pounds of methamphetamine. Afterward, federal agents listened to conversations as Garcia-Rojo continued to plan more trafficking.

On Sunday, investigators listened to Garcia-Rojo negotiate another drug shipment to Oregon and arrested him in a "stash house" in the 1600 block of Wendy Street NE. Within the house, several kilos of cocaine, a Mossburg 12-gauge shotgun and a semi-automatic .40 caliber pistol were found.

Garcia-Rojo and another distributor, Armando Valdespino-Romero, attempted to flee, but both were caught.

Garcia-Rojo's house in the 8600 block of Warner Drive SE in Salem also was searched. Inside, police found two Fabrique Nationale 5.7 mm handguns capable of shooting through body armor. The guns were found inside the home's garage, among children's toys.

The drug network also included a money-launderer and drug deal broker, Augustin German Mayorga, also known as "Danny Crane," who was named in the indictment.

Investigators also determined mid-level distributor Ademir Hernandez-Arciga, also known as "Almiro" was commissioned during a deal to buy firearms.

A home in the 5200 block of Nightcap Avenue SE also was searched Sunday, but it was not listed in Monday's indictment.

rliao@StatesmanJournal.com or (503) 589-6941

Arrests

Of 19 arrests made by federal and state authorities, nine people were named in an indictment released by the U.S. district attorney's office:

Ricardo Garcia-Rojo, also known as "Chino," was described as the suspected ringleader. Garcia-Rojo, a Mexican citizen, was deported in 2000 and faces immigration charges.

Apolinar Almonte-Vazquez, also known as "Chopa," reportedly distributed large quantities of narcotics. Almonte-Vazquez was convicted of drug charges in Lane County in 1992. Almonte-Vazquez, a Mexican citizen, previously was deported and faces immigration charges.

Jose Soto-Garcia was arrested while reportedly distributing about a kilo of cocaine. Soto-Garcia, a Mexican citizen, faces immigration charges.

Armando Valdespino-Romero, also known as "Teto," reportedly distributed narcotics.

Esmeralda Colmenares-Chiprez

Augustin German Mayorga, also known as "Danny Crane," was named in the indictment as a money-launderer and drug-deal broker.

On Jan. 2, agents listened to a conversation between German Mayorga and Garcia-Rojo about a cocaine shipment to the house in the 1600 block of Wendy Street NE in Salem.

German Mayorga's convictions include carrying a concealed weapon, first-degree and second-degree theft. German Mayorga also faces federal immigration charges.

Rody Jocsan Romero-Torres

Ademir Hernandez-Arciga reportedly was a mid-level distributor. Hernandez-Arciga, also known as "Almiro," was convicted in 1990 on drug charges in California. He also faces federal immigration charges.

Yudel Omar Sanchez

Homes searched

A "stash house" in the 1600 block of Wendy Street NE, where police found several kilos of cocaine, a Mossburg 12-gauge shotgun and a semi-automatic .40 caliber pistol.

Garcia-Rojo's house in the 8900 block of Warner Drive SE, where police found two Fabrique Nationale 5.7 mm handguns capable of shooting through body armor. The guns were found inside the home's garage, among children's toys.

Soto-Garcia's house in the 1500 block of 63rd Avenue NE, where police found a .40 caliber Glock Model 22 handgun with a tactical light and a Browning 9-millimeter semi-automatic pistol.

Copyright 2008 Statesman Journal, Salem, Oregon