Four Arrested in Columbus, More Than 22 Pounds of Fentanyl Seized

COLUMBUS, Ohio – Federal agents arrested four individuals today as part of a large-scale, drug-trafficking organization investigation.

Tomas Sandoval, Alvaro Gasca-Cardoso, Salatiel Ramos-Rajos and Alexis Zazueta-Soto have been charged with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute fentanyl, methamphetamine and heroin.

Benjamin C. Glassman, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio, Timothy J. Plancon, Special Agent in Charge, Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and other members of the DEA’s Task Force announced the charges.

The four defendants appeared in federal court today at 1:30pm for initial appearances before U.S. Magistrate Judge Kimberly Jolson.

As part of the case, investigators executed a search warrant on Friday at a residence on South Napoleon Avenue in Columbus. Law enforcement officials seized 10 kilograms of fentanyl, one kilogram of methamphetamine and 10 ounces of heroin.

This investigation is ongoing.

U.S. Attorney Glassman commended the investigation of this case by the DEA and Assistant United States Attorney Timothy Prichard, who is prosecuting the case. The DEA Columbus office includes full-time task force officers from Ohio State Highway Patrol, Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI), Franklin and Madison county sheriff’s offices, Columbus, Upper Arlington, Westerville and Lancaster police departments, and the Columbus Airport Police Department.

A criminal complaint merely contains allegations, and defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.s

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