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“OPERATION ENIGMA” DEFENDANTS SENTENCED FOR DISTRIBUTING OVER $50 MILLION IN DRUGS IN LESS THAN 1 YEAR

August 8, 2005

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

David E. Nahmias, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Georgia; Sherri Strange, Special Agent in Charge, Drug Enforcement Administration, Gregory Jones, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation, and Kenneth A. Smith, Special Agent in Charge, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, U.S. Department of Homeland Security announce a series of sentences this week related to a $50 million dollar drug scheme code-named “Operation Enigma.” According to Nahmias and the evidence at this week’s sentencing hearings:

ROBERTO MORENO-GONZALES, 26, of Mexico was sentenced by United States Chief District Judge Orinda Evans to 40 years in federal prison on charges of conspiracy to possess and distribute marijuana, methamphetamine and cocaine; possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime; and money laundering. MORENO-GONZALEZ was also ordered to serve 5 years of supervised release. MORENO-GONZALEZ was convicted of these charges on January 25, 2005. According to the evidence, MORENO-GONZALEZ led and directed over 20 co-conspirators in a nationwide drug distribution conspiracy. MORENO-GONZALEZ, while based in McAllen, Texas, directed the shipment and distribution of thousands of kilograms of cocaine and thousands of pounds of marijuana and methamphetamine, much of it through the Atlanta area for sale nationwide.

Other members of the organization, sentenced on related possession and drug distribution charges include:

The arrest and conviction of MORENO-GONZALEZ, and the others resulted from a several month long investigation by DEA, FBI, and ICE agents in Atlanta, McAllen, Texas, and Knoxville, Tennessee. The Atlanta portion of the investigation culminated in the execution of over 17 search warrants on August 21, 2003, and the arrest of 30 people. Pursuant to those searches, agents seized significant quantities of marijuana, cocaine, methamphetamine, numerous firearms, and more than three million dollars. During the course of the investigation, agents seized approximately one million dollars from the organization that was destined for Mexico. The money had been concealed in cars which were then loaded on a car hauler for transportation to Mexico.

The evidence showed that the seizures of money and drugs however, represented only a “snapshot” of the amount of drugs this organization was responsible for distributing. Records produced at trial established that in a period of about 10 months, this organization distributed over $50 million worth of drugs in the Atlanta area alone. The investigation revealed that the drugs were smuggled from Mexico, across the Southwest Border in Texas, where they would then be transported to Atlanta and elsewhere via tractor trailer. Once in Atlanta, the drugs were re-packaged, and distributed to the Atlanta based distributors and customers. In the case of methamphetamine, it was most often processed into its more potent form, “ice,” before being distributed. This organization was also responsible for the distribution of drugs to other locations in the Southeast and along the East Coast. These locations included North Carolina, Tennessee, Connecticut, and New York. Evidence presented at trial established that this organization often used violence, or the threat of violence, to collect drug debts and to protect large stashes of drugs and money.

The evidence showed MORENO-GONZALES was the head of this Mexican-based drug trafficking ring, RIGOBERTO GARCIA-JAIMES directed operations in Atlanta, and RAMON ALVAREZ-SANCHEZ was in charge of getting the drugs transported to Atlanta. In addition to being responsible for transportation, ALVAREZ-SANCHEZ distributed significant quantities of marijuana and cocaine. Other members of the organization performed various functions for the organization including transporting drugs and money between Atlanta and Texas; processing and distributing drugs in Atlanta; and providing security for the organization’s numerous stash houses, where drugs and money were stored. At an earlier sentencing, ANNA COVARRUBIAS, 42, was sentenced for her role in fraudulently securing various residences for members of the organization to reside in, and to utilize as stash houses for drugs and money. COVARRUBIAS, a real estate professional, was sentenced to 2 years in prison, and was deported to Mexico after completing her sentence.

United States Attorney David Nahmias said, “This series of prosecutions significantly impacted the ability of this organization to distribute drugs, particularly using Atlanta as a distribution point. The combined efforts of the federal and local agencies in this case set a standard for future investigations and the dismantling of any such organization that poisons our communities with drugs."

This case was investigated by Special Agents of the DEA, FBI, and Department of Homeland Security (ICE).

Assistant United States Attorneys William H. Thomas, Jr., and Jenny Turner prosecuted the case.

For further information please contact David E. Nahmias (pronounced NAH-me-us), United States Attorney or William H. Thomas, Jr., Chief, Narcotics and OCDETF, through Patrick Crosby, Public Affairs Officer, U.S. Attorney's Office, at (404) 581-6016. The Internet address for the HomePage for the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Northern District of Georgia is www.usdoj.gov/usao/gan.