FEDERAL COURT
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Federal authorities said yesterday they have indicted 35 members of a half-dozen drug-trafficking cells that shuttled drugs north and cash south through Imperial County.
The indictments focused on six distribution cells that ran drugs for the Mexican drug-smuggling operation known as the Sinaloa cartel, U.S. Attorney Karen Hewitt said at a news conference.
In addition to recovering several thousand pounds of cocaine, marijuana and methamphetamine, federal law enforcement officials also confiscated more than $9.5 million in cash.
That represents the largest amount of currency seized in the history of the U.S. Attorney's Office here, which also covers Imperial County, Hewitt said.
So far, 19 people have been arrested, including four people who were arrested in Mexico. Sixteen suspects remain at large, she said.
The investigation dubbed “Operation Money Train” began in March 2007. The 18-month investigation was significant not only for the drugs seized but also for the cash that was intercepted, said Ralph Partridge, the Drug Enforcement Administration special agent in charge in San Diego.
“When you do that, you hurt these organizations at their core,” he said.
In all, authorities confiscated about 1,500 pounds of cocaine, 1,600 pounds of marijuana and 370 pounds of methamphetamine, in addition to the cash.
The charges were contained in six grand jury indictments unsealed yesterday. Six defendants were identified as leaders or major players in the cells, and they face charges of engaging in a continuing criminal enterprise.
They are Sergio Figueroa of Brawley; and Juan Ramón Bañuelos González, Arturo Durán Aguiar, Mario Ponce Moreno, Jaime Verdugo Lutt and Heraclio Verdugo Lutt, all of Mexicali.
If convicted, their sentences range from minimum mandatory terms of 20 years to a maximum of life in prison. Heraclio Verdugo Lutt and Ponce Moreno are fugitives.
Greg Moran: (619) 542-4586; greg.moran@uniontrib.com
