Joint Investigation Leads to the Arrest of Six Defendants Involved in Significant Drug Conspiracy

Columbia, South Carolina ---- United States Attorney Beth Drake stated today that the Drug Enforcement Administration arrested six defendants who are charged with conspiring to possess with the intent to distribute and to distribute methamphetamine, heroin, and fentanyl in the midlands of South Carolina.  Based on the investigation, agents seized over sixteen pounds of methamphetamine, nine pounds of heroin, and three pounds of fentanyl. 

The defendants named in the criminal complaint are Endira Torres, Devon Tremain Thomas, Matias Castro Hernandez, Leslie Geraldene Gutierrez, Alan Alberto Maldonado-Dominguez, and Luis Antonio Cruz-Gonzales.  All defendants appeared this week for bond hearings at the Matthew J. Perry Federal Courthouse in Columbia, South Carolina, before the Honorable Shiva V. Hodges, United States Magistrate Judge, and remain in federal custody.

Multiple law enforcement agencies participated in this case, including the DEA Columbia Provisional Task Force, Richland County Sheriff’s Department, Lexington County Sheriff’s Department, South Carolina Highway Patrol, Sumter County Sheriff’s Office, and the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division.

This case represents another example of the fine work being done by Federal, State, and local law enforcement agencies working together in South Carolina.  Assistant United States Attorney Ben Garner of the Columbia office is prosecuting the case.

The United States Attorney stated that all charges in this case are merely accusations and that the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

#####