Authorities Arrest Six In Alleged Cocaine Trafficking Ring
HOUSTON - A total of six people have been taken into custody on allegations related to a cocaine conspiracy dating back to April 2011, announced U.S. Attorney Kenneth Magidson along with Special Agent in Charge Joseph M. Arabit of the Drug Enforcement (DEA).
The charges are the result of a multi-year investigation and the return of a six-count sealed indictment April 29, 2015. The indictment was unsealed following the appearance of Isaac Heron, 37, and Douglas Ramirez, 32, both of Houston; and Leroy Greer, 51, of Missouri City, in federal court this morning. At that hearing, U.S. Magistrate Judge Mary Milloy ordered they remain temporarily in custody. They will appear in court again tomorrow at 2:00 p.m. for a counsel determination hearing.
Juan Banda, 42, Kevin Biggurs, 24, and Victor Oliva, 33, were also taken into custody today and are expected to make their initial appearances before Judge Milloy at 10:00 a.m. tomorrow.
Two more defendants - Eddie Bejar, 30, and Jean Lucio, 31, both also of Houston - are charged but not as yet in custody. They are considered fugitives and warrants remain outstanding for their arrests. Anyone with information about their whereabouts is asked to contact the DEA at 713-693-3000.
With the exception of Greer, all are charged with conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute cocaine and aiding and abetting possession with intent to distribute cocaine. If convicted, they face a minimum of 10 years and up to life in federal prison as well as a possible $10 million fine. Greer is charged solely with two counts of structuring financial transactions and faces up to five years imprisonment and a possible $250,000 fine.
The case was result of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force investigation led by the DEA with the assistance of Internal Revenue Service - Criminal Investigation and police departments in Pasadena and Houston. Assistant U.S. Attorney Mark E. Donnelly is prosecuting the case.
An indictment is a formal accusation of criminal conduct, not evidence. A defendant is presumed innocent unless convicted through due process of law. -
