Two Illegal Aliens Indicted on Federal Drug Charges and Illegal Reentry after Deportation

Jackson, TN – Two illegal aliens in West Tennessee have been indicted for conspiracy to distribute more than 50 grams of actual methamphetamine or ICE in the Union City, Tennessee area. D. Michael Dunavant, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Tennessee announced the indictments today.

On August 20, 2018, a federal grand jury in Jackson, Tennessee returned a three-count indictment that remained under seal until their arrests. The indictment contained counts against each defendant alleging violations under the Controlled Substances Act and illegal reentry after deportation. The charges stem from the defendants’ participation in a conspiracy to distribute and to possess with the intent to distribute ICE and illegal reentry into the United States after having been previously deported.

According to the charging instrument, a task force made up of special agents with the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Union City Police Department arrested the two subjects in an early morning raid on August 30, 2018, on federal drug trafficking charges and illegal reentry after deportation.

U.S. Attorney D. Michael Dunavant said, "This case combines two of the top priorities of the Department of Justice: illegal drug trafficking and criminal immigration enforcement. We work with our local and federal law enforcement partners to aggressively investigate and prosecute any and all suppliers that distribute illegal drugs in West Tennessee. At the same time, we work to identify, prosecute, and remove persons who violate our sovereign immigration laws, and our work focuses on criminal re-entry cases that will further deter and reduce illegality by criminal aliens. Clearly, these offenders pose a significant danger to public safety in Obion county and West Tennessee by their distribution of pure methamphetamine into the community."

The suspects arrested are:

Christino Alcazar-Ortiz, 42, Union City, Tennessee

Armando Alcazar-Ortiz, 37, Union City, Tennessee

Their arrests are the result of a yearlong investigation into a crystal methamphetamine (ICE) drug operation at Mi Tierra Caliente restaurant, owned by the defendants in Union City, Tennessee in which law enforcement officials have seized large amounts of methamphetamine, which was 95% pure.

Perry Barfield, Union City Police Chief said, "Our department would like to thank all the federal agencies involved in this operation, and especially for the working relations with our local drug enforcement officers. We are always grateful for any and all efforts that help rid our community of illegal drug activity."

If convicted, the defendants face not less than 10 years, up to life imprisonment; $1,000,000 fine and 5 years supervised release for the controlled substance violations; and not more than 20 years imprisonment, and a fine of $250,000 for the illegal reentry charges.

This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and the Union City Police Department.

The charges and allegations contained in the indictment are merely accusations, and the defendants are considered innocent unless or until proven guilty.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jerry Kitchen and Lauren Delery are prosecuting this case on the government’s behalf.