Cocaine Seizure and Indictment
APR 24 -- (Alexandria, VA) – Today, a grand jury sitting in Alexandria, Virginia, indicted Tony Ervin Lopez on one count of conspiracy to distribute cocaine, four counts of distribution of cocaine and four counts of using and carrying a firearm during and in relation to drug trafficking crimes. Chuck Rosenberg, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, announced this indictment as part of year long investigation which resulted in the arrest of 34 individuals and the seizure of over 20 kilograms of cocaine, 26 firearms, and over $225,000.
The joint investigation headed by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Drug Enforcement Administration focused upon cocaine and firearms trafficking in Prince William County, Virginia, and other locations in Northern Virginia. The indictment alleges that Tony Lopez sold firearms and cocaine to undercover law enforcement agents and that he distributed kilograms of cocaine from 2006 until his arrest in March 2007. As part of the investigation, law enforcement agents utilized court-authorized wiretaps on cellular telephones used by Lopez and others to further the group’s drug trade. The investigation resulted in the arrest of 34 individuals on both state and federal charges of illegal drug trafficking, firearms offenses and immigration violations.
In connection with the operation, law enforcement agents searched ten locations in March 2007 in Northern Virginia, Washington D.C. and Maryland, including Lopez’s home in Manassas, Virginia. At one warehouse in Fredericksburg, Virginia, agents seized 13 kilograms of cocaine and over $100,000.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Bureau of Customs and Immigration Enforcement, the Prince William County Police Department, the Manassas City Police Department, the Manassas Park Police Department, the Fairfax County Police Department and the Northern Virginia Gang Task Force assisted in this investigation. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Kelli Ferry and Special Assistant United States Attorney Matthew Donnelly.
Defendants are presumed to be innocent until and unless proven guilty.
