News Release [print friendly page]
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 9, 2008
Contact: S/A Rich Isaacson
Number: (313) 234-4310

Two Illegal Aliens Indicted on Eight Kilogram Cocaine Conspiracy
Total of Four Individuals Indicted in Sting Which Nets Over $182,000

JUL 9 -- LOUISVILLE, KY - A federal grand jury in Louisville returned an indictment for conspiracy to distribute more than five kilograms of cocaine against Steven Lee Fowler, Jr., age 35, of 3723 Ethel Avenue, Louisville, Kentucky, Paul Eugene Smith, age 31, of 1027 Seelbach Avenue, Louisville, Kentucky, Jose Alfaro Mendez, age 28, a non United States citizen, and Ciricao Carranco Lucio, a/k/a Primo, age 28, a non United States citizen, U.S. Attorney David L. Huber of the Western District of Kentucky announced today.

According to a criminal complaint against the four defendants, special agents of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) conducted a sting operation regarding a fictitious sale of eight kilograms of cocaine. DEA agents arranged a deal with the defendants whereby the eight kilograms of purported cocaine would be purchased for $21,500.00 per kilogram. On June 12, 2008, in Jefferson County, Kentucky the transaction took place and all four defendants were arrested. DEA agents recovered from the defendants over $182,000.00 in cash. In the event of a conviction the maximum potential penalties, each defendant faces, are Life imprisonment, a $4,000,000.00 fine, and supervised release for a period of 4 years. Mendez and Lucio are illegal aliens and are subject to deportation after serving their sentences.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Mac Shannon, and it was investigated by the DEA. The defendants are scheduled to appear for arraignment before the United States Magistrate Judge on July 22, 2008, at 10:00 a.m., in Louisville, Kentucky.

The indictment of a person by a Grand Jury is an accusation only and that person is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

###