FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT
AUSA VICKIE E. LEDUC or
MARCIA MURPHY at 410-209-4885
FEBRUARY 20, 2007
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
TWO DEFENDANTS CHARGED WITH
POSSESSION OF 70 KILOGRAMS OF COCAINE
Street Value of Cocaine Seized is Over $1 Million
BALTIMORE, Maryland - Jesus Rodriguez, age 23, from Mexico, and David Tirado-Gasper, age 45, of Phoenix, Arizona, have been charged by criminal complaint with conspiracy and possession with intent to distribute cocaine in connection with the seizure of 70 kilograms of cocaine on February 13, 2007, announced United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Rod J. Rosenstein.
According to court documents, Rodriguez and Tirado-Gasper were stopped for traffic violations by the Maryland State Police on February 13, 2007 on Maryland 295 in Anne Arundel County near Route 32. After a narcotics-detecting canine alerted on the defendant’s vehicle for the presence of illegal drugs, the vehicle was searched and the state trooper recovered 70 compressed packages of cocaine in the trunk. The cocaine has a street value well in excess of $1 million. The defendants were arrested.
Each defendant faces a maximum sentence of life without parole plus a fine of up to $4,000,000. Both defendants had their initial appearances today.
A criminal complaint is not a finding of guilt. An individual charged by criminal complaint is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty at some later criminal proceedings.
United States Attorney Rod J. Rosenstein commended the investigative work performed by the Maryland State Police and the Drug Enforcement Administration. Mr. Rosenstein also thanked Assistant United States Attorney Charles Peters, who is prosecuting the case.