News Release [print friendly page]
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 06, 2009
Contact: Chuvalo J. Truesdell
PIO/AFD
Number: 404-893-7124

AUG 06 -- Memphis, TN -   On August 4, 2009, a long-term investigation of a drug trafficking organization in the Memphis area culminated in the arrest of six co-conspirators, as well as the seizure of approximately 1000 pounds of marijuana and a half million dollars in cash announced Lawrence J. Laurenzi, United States Attorney for the Western District of Tennessee, Keith Brown, Resident Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration-Memphis Resident Office, Larry Godwin, Director of the Memphis Police Department and Mark Luttrell, Sheriff of Shelby County.  Miguel Munoz, Armando Prado, Timothy Bailey, Vikki Casteel, Hugo Estrado, and Vincente Vazquez were charged in a Criminal Complaint with Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Distribute at least 1000 Kilograms of Marijuana in violation of Title 21 USC Section 846.  Violations of this statute carry a mandatory minimum sentence of ten years in prison and a potential sentence of life.

The Complaint alleges that Munoz and his co-conspirators are responsible for bringing several thousand pounds of marijuana into the Memphis area, since at least late 2008.  On August 4, 2009, officers arrested the co-conspirators and executed several federal search warrants, seizing approximately 1000 pounds of marijuana and approximately a half million dollars in cash.   

The investigation was handled by the Drug Enforcement Administration Task Force in Memphis, which includes officers from the Memphis Police Department, Shelby County Sheriff’s Office, Germantown Police Department, Millington Police Department, Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, the West Tennessee Drug Task Force, Bartlett Police Department, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives.  Assistant United States Attorney Kevin G. Ritz is handling the prosecution of this case on behalf of the United States.

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