Ten defendants have been charged in a superseding indictment with manufacturing and trafficking methamphetamine throughout the Tulsa Metro area, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Clint Johnson.
During an early morning law enforcement operation targeting members of the drug trafficking organization, ten individuals were arrested. Eight of the ten arrested were named in the indictment.
“Today our partners at the DEA, Tulsa Police Department, Tulsa County Sheriff’s Office, Broken Arrow Police Department and Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics executed arrest and search warrants at eight locations in the Tulsa area, resulting in the arrest of ten suspects. During the take down, shots were fired at law enforcement, who then returned fire. Neither suspects nor law enforcement were injured,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Clint Johnson. “As evidenced by today’s operation and indictment, the U.S. Attorney’s Office and law enforcement remain intent on disrupting the flow of illicit drugs into our neighborhoods and holding accountable those responsible.”
“This Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) case originated from the discovery of large methamphetamine conversion labs located within Oklahoma. The DEA, Tulsa Police Department and various other state and local counterparts which comprise the DEA Tulsa High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) Metro Task Force, won’t tolerate drug trafficking organizations seeking sanctuary in Oklahoma to perform their illegal operations,” said Eduardo A. Chavez, Special Agent in Charge of the DEA Dallas Field Division, which covers all Oklahoma operations.
“The DEA will utilize all of its resources to ensure drug traffickers are arrested and face prosecution, and this investigation is a clear example of the resolute determination of the agents, investigators, and analysts working to keep Oklahoma a safer place.”
The 16-count indictment, unsealed today, alleges the defendants conspired to manufacture, to possess with intent to distribute and to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine.
The defendants have been charged with drug conspiracy; possession with intent to distribute and distribution of methamphetamine; maintaining a drug involved premises; and use of a communication facility in committing, causing, and facilitating the commission of a drug trafficking felony.
Those arrested as part of the indictment include:
Arrested today
Desiree Loraine Castaneda, 33,
Ernesto Cerda, age unknown
Jorge Guerrero Perez, 41
Luis Rodriguez, 32
Gabriel Vidales-Moreno 41
Carlos Yepez, 41
Gerardo Yepez, 35
Jorge Yepez, 25
Previously arrested
Pedro Santiago Cabrerra, 36
Rolando Reyna Reyes, 34
Two other individuals not named in the indictment were also arrested today during the operation and will be charged later this week.
The Drug Enforcement Administration, Tulsa Police Department, Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs, Tulsa County Sheriff’s Office, and Broken Arrow Police Department are the investigative agencies.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Ben Tonkin and David Nasar are prosecuting the case.
