18 people facing federal charges in drug distribution conspiracy

Eighteen people are facing federal charges related to an alleged cocaine, methamphetamine and heroin distribution network in Fort Wayne, Elkhart and South Bend, according to US Attorney David Capp.

Beginning Tuesday morning, 17 of the suspects were arrested and search warrants were served at 18 addresses in Fort Wayne, one in South Bend and one in Elkhart.

One of the suspects has not been arrested.

“These were not street level small quantity dealers. This network dealt regularly with kilogram quantities of narcotics," said US Attorney David Capp.

In their 20 home raids, authorities found the following:

  • $600,000 cash
  • 11 kg cocaine
  • 13 vehicles
  • 13 firearms
  •  Multiple kg marijuana
  • More than 100 g heroin
  • More than 50 g meth

Attorney David Capp concluded the press conference saying, “We are not finished. This law enforcement team is united, and we will continue our effort, and we are coming for you, and you are next.”

Here are the specifics of the complaints and criminal indictments.

The principal indictment alleges a conspiracy to distribute cocaine, methamphetamine and heroin against the following, all from Fort Wayne:

  • Jose C. Razo, age 43; charged with maintaining 2720 Winter St., Ft. Wayne as a drug distribution place and eight specific alleged distributions
  • Carlos Silva-Ponce, age 39; also charged with maintaining 2720 Winter St. as a drug distribution place and two specific alleged distributions
  • Patricia S. Quinones, age 48
  • Samuel J. Gemple, age 48
  • Marco A. Garcia, age 29
  • Allan C. Chiprez-Garcia, age 20

In addition, other indictments were returned against:

  • Baltazar Fernandez, age 44, Fort Wayne; conspiracy to distribute cocaine
  • Juan M. Gonzalez, age 33, Fort Wayne; conspiracy to distribute heroin and cocaine
  • Frederick Moore, age 42, Fort Wayne; conspiracy to distribute heroin and cocaine and with maintaining 2526 Baywood Trail, Ft. Wayne as a drug distribution place; arrested Tuesday in South Dakota
  • Javier Orozco, age 28, Fort Wayne; conspiracy to distribute heroin; currently a fugitive, anyone with information as to his whereabouts should contact the FBI
  • Edy A. Montoya-Echeverria, age 34, Fort Wayne; conspiracy to distribute heroin
  • Larmondo Watts, age 44, Fort Wayne; possession with intent to distribute cocaine

In addition to the above indictments, federal criminal complaints were issued for the following individuals:

  • Jesus Montes-Perez, age 47, Fort Wayne; distribution of methamphetamine
  • Rene A. Del-Rio Salazar, age 30, South Bend; distribution of cocaine
  • Fernando G. Garcia, age 30, Fort Wayne; distribution of heroin
  • Carlos Prado, age 36, Fort Wayne; distribution of methamphetamine
  • Jonathan A. Galindo, age 25, Fort Wayne; conspiracy to distribute cocaine along with using a telephone to facilitate distribution
  • Enrique Cordova Campos, age 41, Elkhart, conspiracy to distribute cocaine

Federal search warrants were executed at the following addresses:

  • 50773 CR 11, Elkhart, IN
  • 1331 Ebeling Drive, South Bend, IN
  • 3033 Winter Street, Fort Wayne, IN
  • 2720 Winter Street, Fort Wayne, IN
  • 2808 Taylor Street, Fort Wayne, IN
  • 2715 Hoagland Avenue, Fort Wayne, IN
  • 2724 Winter Street, Fort Wayne, IN
  • 2311 Whitmore Avenue, Fort Wayne, IN
  • 8711 Voyager Drive, Fort Wayne, IN
  • 2526 Baywood Trail, Fort Wayne, IN
  • 205 West Wallace Street, Fort Wayne, IN
  • 9723 Tumbleweed Blvd., Fort Wayne, IN
  • 9525 Woodstream Dr., Fort Wayne, IN
  • 1135 Eliza Street, Fort Wayne, IN
  • 13814 Piedmont Cove, Fort Wayne, IN
  • 2531 Sandpoint Road, Fort Wayne, IN
  • 4005 Reed Street, Fort Wayne, IN
  • 1112 Wabash Avenue, Fort Wayne, IN
  • 1714 South Coliseum Blvd, Fort Wayne, IN
  • 4501 Smith Street, Fort Wayne, IN

This investigation was directed by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Fort Wayne Safe Streets Task Force (FWSSTF). Partners in the FBI FWSSTF are the Allen County Sheriff’s Department, Fort Wayne Police Department, and the Indiana State Police. In addition, the FBI FWSSTF was assisted by the Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation Division, U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, U.S. Marshal’s Service, Elkhart Police Department, and the South Bend Police Department.

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