United States Drug Enforcement Administration

HOUSTON - A total of five Houston area drug traffickers are in custody on allegations they were involved in the large-scale distribution of methamphetamine in the Tomball and Pinehurst areas, announced Drug Enforcement Administration Special Agent in Charge Joseph M. Arabit, Houston Division and U.S. Attorney Kenneth Magidson.

A federal grand jury returned a sealed indictment Aug. 18, 2016, against Tomball resident German Rodriguez, 24; Mexican national Bernabe Lopez-Olmos, 28, residing in Tomball; Carlos Garcia-Luna, 51, and Julia Cerna-Compean, 50, both legal permanent residents from Mexico residing in Magnolia; and Cristobal Martinez-Chavez, 43, a Mexican national residing in Houston.

The indictment was unsealed as to each defendant upon their arrest. Garcia-Luna and Cerna-Compean were taken into custody today and are expected to make their initial appearances before U.S. Magistrate Judge Stephen Wm. Smith tomorrow at 2:00 p.m. Authorities arrested Rodriguez and Martinez-Chavez yesterday. They appeared in court today, at which time they were ordered into custody pending a detention hearing Sept. 7, 2016, before U.S. Magistrate Judge Nancy Johnson. Lopez-Olmos was already in custody on related charges.

All are charged with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine as well as with possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. The indictment alleges that between October 2014 and December 2015 the defendants distributed more than seven kilograms of actual methamphetamine.

If convicted, each faces a mandatory minimum of 10 years and up to life in federal prison and a possible $10 million fine.

The Drug Enforcement Administration - High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area drug squad conducted the investigation along with the Texas Department of Public Safety - Methamphetamine Initiative Group, police departments in Tomball and Houston and the Montgomery County Pct. 5 Constable’s Office.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Anibal J. Alaniz is prosecuting the case. An indictment is a formal accusation of criminal conduct, not evidence. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until convicted through due process of law.