Federal Prison Inmates Among Group Charged In Drug Conspiracy
PHILADELPHIA - An indictment filed today, charges eight people, including two federal prison inmates, with conspiracy to distribute 500 grams of methamphetamine, announced United States Attorney Zane David Memeger. The indictment alleges that federal inmates Jose Cardenas-Covarrubias and Donaciano Contreras-Monje, imprisoned at FCI McKean, initiated the sale of large amounts of methamphetamine to two law enforcement officers posing as Philadelphia drug dealers.
According to the indictment, defendant Silvestre Garcia-Andaya spoke with the undercover officers by telephone and negotiated a price for the delivery of large quantities of methamphetamine. Defendants Garcia-Andaya, Erika Garcia, and Alfredo Moralez-Bustos came to Philadelphia from California to meet with the “buyers” and discuss the delivery. On February 20, 2013, it is alleged that Garcia-Andaya and defendant Esau Zendejaz-Bustos delivered approximately 11 pounds of methamphetamine to one of the undercover officers and, the next day, another two pounds to the officer, accepting $10,000 as a partial payment. It is further alleged that on March 6, 2013, Garcia-Andaya met with defendants Rodolfo Luviano and Juan Antonio Lopez, who drove from Oklahoma to Philadelphia, to accept a delivery of methamphetamine.
In addition to the conspiracy, Garcia-Andaya is charged with distributing 500 grams or more of methamphetamine and possession with intent to distribute; Zendejas-Bustos is charged with distributing 500 grams or more of methamphetamine, possession with intent to distribute cocaine, and possession with intent to distribute marijuana; Luviano and Lopez are also charged with distributing 500 grams of more of methamphetamine.
If convicted, each defendant faces a mandatory ten years in prison with a maximum possible sentence of life, a mandatory term of five years supervised release to lifetime supervised release, a fine of up to $10 million, and a $100 special assessment.
The case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Philadelphia Police Department. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney David L. Axelrod.
