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U.S. Department of Justice Federal Bureau of Investigation

In Reply, Please Refer to Release No.

219 South Dearborn Street Chicago, Illinois 60604

September 25, 2002 Three Arrested in Undercover Drug Investigation Thomas J. Kneir, Special Agent in Charge of the Chicago office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and Terry G. Hillard, Superintendent of the Chicago Police Department (CPD) announced today the arrest of MANUEL MEDINA, age 42, of Niles, Illinois; JESUS GUTIERREZ-RUIZ, age 42, and FRANCISCO J. QUINONEZ, age 25, both of Chicago. All three men were arrested yesterday afternoon by FBI Special Agents and Chicago Police Narcotics Investigators, without incident, at two separate locations in Chicago. All three men were charged in a criminal complaint filed today in U.S. District Court in Chicago with one count of conspiracy to possess a controlled substance (cocaine) with intent to distribute. According to the complaint, a 150 kilogram shipment of cocaine destined for Chicago was intercepted by FBI Agents and local authorities in El Paso, Texas, late last week. The driver of the shipment agreed to cooperate with investigators and the load was brought to Chicago, for delivery to the intended recipients. MEDINA, RUIZ and QUINONEZ all appeared at pre-determined locations and times to take delivery of the shipment, at which time they were arrested. Recovered during the arrests was approximately $80,000 in cash, three vehicles and a handgun. All three men appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Morton Denlow in Chicago, earlier today, at which time they were ordered held without bond, pending their next scheduled court appearance. The public is reminded that a complaint is not evidence of guilt and that all defendants in a criminal case are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. EDITOR'S NOTE: A copy of the complaint filed in connection with this investigation is available from the Chicago FBI Press Office by calling (312) 786-2645.

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