15 Alleged Gang Members Indicted for Drug Trafficking; Used Taco Truck and U.S. Mail

• Criminal Ring Used Taco Truck
• Sold Drugs Through U.S. Mail
• Defendants Face Life in Prison

A group of 15 individuals, allegedly members of a transnational criminal organization, has been formally indicted for their involvement in a drug trafficking scheme in Houston, Texas.

The 29-count indictment was unsealed on May 22 following the arrest of nine suspects tied to a network that distributed narcotics using a taco truck and the U.S. Postal Service.

The investigation was led by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Houston, in collaboration with the local police department, the FBI, the ATF, and the Inspector General’s Office of the Texas Department of Criminal Justice.

Those arrested include: James Michael Brewer (“Creeper”), 33; Jonathan Alvarado (“Joker”), 28; Alexis Delgado (“Chino”), 28; Héctor Luis López (“Capulito”), 23; Kylie Rae Alvarado, 24; Ruby Mata, 31; Victor Norris Ellison, 35; Mexi Dyan García (“Mexi”), 31; Jesús Gómez-Rodríguez (“Jr.”), 33.

Houston Authorities Dismantle Major Criminal Operation

Others currently in custody awaiting arraignment include: Enzo Xavier Domínguez (“Smiley”), 32; William Alexander Lazo (“Miclo”), 21; Alfredo Gómez (“Fredo”), 26.

Three remain fugitives: José Francisco García-Martínez (“Paco”), 29, of Mexico; Marcos René Simaj-Guch (“Taco Man”), 41, of Guatemala; José Eduardo Morales (“Primo”), 22.

“These gang members operated a transnational criminal network that flooded our communities with deadly narcotics,” said Chad Plantz, Special Agent in Charge of HSI Houston.

He credited interagency collaboration for dismantling the drug scheme and removing a major contributor to violence and addiction in the area.

Drugs Smuggled Drugs via Taco Truck, Houses, and Mail

Matthew R. Galeotti, Chief of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, added that the organization smuggled methamphetamine from Mexico and distributed it via the U.S. mail, a taco truck, and residential drug houses throughout Houston.

Several defendants also illegally possessed firearms and used them to further drug operations despite having prior criminal convictions.

The indictment, issued under seal on May 14, accuses the group of trafficking: Methamphetamine, Powder cocaine, Crack cocaine, Heroin, Oxycodone, Xanax, Psilocybin mushrooms, and Marijuana.

Drug houses and the food truck were used to store and sell narcotics.

In one incident in June 2023, 29 kilograms of methamphetamine were seized from a suspect attempting to smuggle the drugs into the U.S.

All defendants except Simaj-Guch (who faces up to 40 years) could receive life sentences.

You may also like: FBI Reopens Investigation Into Cocaine Found in the White House During Biden Administration

Five individuals also face firearms charges carrying up to 15 additional years in prison.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Francisco Rodríguez, alongside Ralph Paradiso and Amanda Kotula of the Violent Crime and Organized Crime Section of the Justice Department.

What do you think about seemingly innocent businesses—like a taco truck—being used for drug trafficking operations?

SOURCE: www.ice.gov