FIVE INDIVIDUALS INDICTED IN ALLEGED EAST COAST
METHAMPHETAMINE TRAFFICKING RING

Martin C. Carlson, United States Attorney for the Middle District of Pennsylvania, announced today that a federal grand jury in Harrisburg has indicted five individuals for conspiracy and distribution and possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. Those individuals include:

-Carlos Cegledi, age 40;
-Ramon Ferrer, AKA, “Poncho,” age 26;
-Esperanza Ferrer, age 21;
-Francisco Barrios, AKA, “Lucio Rincon-Hernandez,” age 36; and
-Jesus Barrios, age 32

According to U.S. Attorney Carlson, the investigation began when the Drug Enforcement Administration received reports concerning a methamphetamine trafficking ring that was transporting methamphetamine to areas of the East Coast that included the Middle District of Pennsylvania. The indictment alleges that between April and May 2008, the defendants manufactured, possessed and distributed 500 grams or more of methamphetamine in Dauphin County; Cumberland County; Franklin County; Schuylkill County; Berks County; Lehigh County; and the State of Georgia.

According to U.S. Attorney Carlson, 23 pounds of crystal methamphetamine was seized during the course of the investigation, which is valued at between $18,000 and $23,000 per pound.

All five defendants were arraigned and pleaded not guilty on May 22, 2008. Trial has been tentatively scheduled for July 28, 2008.

If convicted, each defendant faces a statutory maximum penalty of life imprisonment and a $4,000 fine and a mandatory minimum penalty of 10 years imprisonment.

This case is being investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, Allentown Resident Office; Pennsylvania State Police; Lehigh County District Attorney’s Office; Allentown Police Department; and the Berks Lehigh Regional Police Department.

Assistant United States Attorney Christy H. Fawcett is prosecuting the case.

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An Indictment or Information is not evidence of guilt but simply a description of the charge made by the Grand Jury and/or United States Attorney against a defendant. A charged Defendant is presumed innocent until a jury returns a unanimous finding that the United States has proven the defendant’s guilt beyond a reasonable doubt or until the defendant has pled guilty to the charges.