Thirteen Arrested for Fentanyl Distribution
AUSTIN – Today 13 individuals were arrested on criminal charges for their alleged involvement in fentanyl distribution announced Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Special Agent in Charge Daniel C. Comeaux and United States Attorney Ashley C. Hoff.
According to court documents, Marcos Garcia, 18, of Somerton, AZ; Oliver Garcia, 20, of Lockhart; Christopher Brook, 23, of Austin; Jaime Cabrales, 23, of Austin; Matthew Juan, 19, of Austin; Adi Martinez Marquez, 19, of Austin; Andrew Ruben Ramirez, 23, of Austin; Ezequiel Azmitia-Jimenez, 19, of Lockhart; Michael Bauman, 18, of Austin; Daemon Lye Garcia, 19, of San Marcos; Ernest Ochoa, 18, of Austin; and Josue Nolasco-Campuzano, 20, of Live Oak, were arrested on charges of distributing fentanyl in the Austin area.
“This operation demonstrates this Office’s commitment to the disruption and prosecution of criminal organizations destroying communities through the distribution of deadly counterfeit prescriptions laced with fentanyl,” said U. S. Attorney Ashley C. Hoff. “We will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to confront this escalating problem.”
“Today’s coordinated law enforcement operation dismantled an enterprise responsible for the distribution of counterfeit pills; these fake pills laced with fentanyl were clandestinely manufactured to mimic the prescription pharmaceutical Oxycodone,” said Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Special Agent in Charge Daniel C. Comeaux, Houston Division. “Counterfeit pills have become a real and viable threat to the American people. We caution every person to never consume pharmaceuticals unless under licensed medical care and sourced from a licensed pharmacy. The DEA will continue to relentlessly pursue any individual or organization that threatens our communities with these fake deadly pills.”
Marcos Garcia, Oliver Garcia, Brook, Cabrales, Juan, Marquez, Ramirez and Azmitia are charged by federal indictment with one count of conspiracy to distribute fentanyl. If convicted, each defendant faces up to life in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Bauman, Daemon Garcia, Ochoa and Nolasco are charged by federal criminal complaint of possessing with intent to distribute fentanyl. If convicted, each defendant faces up to life in prison.
The DEA, FBI, U.S. Postal Inspection Service, and the Austin, Cedar Park, San Angelo, and San Marcos Police Departments are investigating the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Mark Marshall is prosecuting the case.
An indictment or complaint is merely an allegation and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
