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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

 

 

December 19, 2001

Mexican Drug Ring Smashed:  17 Arrested, $1.2 Million in Cash Seized

Thomas J. Kneir, Special Agent in Charge of the Chicago Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and Patrick J. Fitzgerald, U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois, announced today the filing of criminal charges against 15 members and associates of a Mexican based drug ring, that imported and distributed multi-kilogram amounts of cocaine in the Joliet and Chicago metropolitan areas. Three (3) others have been charged with immigration violations.

The charges were the result of a two (2) year long investigation conducted jointly by the FBI office in Tinley Park; the Joliet Police Department (JPD), headed by Chief David Gerdes; the Will County Sheriff's Special Operations Unit (WCSO), under the direction of Deputy Chief Paul Kaupas; the Will County Cooperative Police Assistance Team (CPAT), under the direction of Gary Reichenberger; the Metropolitan Area Narcotics Squad (MANS), under the direction of Lt. Martin Shifflet; and Will County State's Attorney Jeff Tomczak.

The defendants in this case have all been charged in criminal complaints filed in U.S. District Court in Chicago, during the past week, with Conspiracy to Possess a Controlled Substance (cocaine) with Intent to Distribute. Due to the quantities of illegal drugs that are alleged to have been distributed, those convicted could face mandatory sentences ranging from ten (10) years to life in prison.

According to the complaints, most of those charged have been involved in the distribution of multi-kilogram amounts of cocaine to various customers in Joliet, the surrounding Will County area and the South and Southwest sides of Chicago. The complaint identifies EDGAR CASTRO as the head of the group, which distributed as much as 150 kilograms of cocaine during the past six (6) months. CASTRO is also alleged to have been the supplier of cocaine to EARL C. BERRY, who was arrested by the FBI and Chicago Police Department Gang Crimes Task Force last week, along with 19 suspected gang members and associates.

Investigators began making arrests in connection with this investigation on December 8th, with the last arrest being made yesterday. All of the arrests were made without incident. Those taken into custody have either been released on bond or ordered held, pending their next scheduled court appearance.

In addition to the 17 arrests, federal search warrants were executed at four (4) separate locations. In excess of $1.2 million in cash, believed to be proceeds of the operation, were recovered from a residence in Berwyn, Illinois while 46 kilograms of cocaine, with an estimated street value of over $1 million, were recovered from a vehicle and residence in Blue Island, Illinois. Eight (8) vehicles and numerous weapons have also been recovered.

In making today's announcement, SAC Kneir praised the combined efforts of the FBI Agents and local Officers and Investigators, who have worked tirelessly to dismantle a sophisticated and extensive illegal drug operation. Said Kneir "The task force concept, combining the resources of the FBI with the experience and expertise of local officers, has once again proven to be the most effective means of investigating multi-national drug organizations."

Those arrested on criminal charges are identified as:

   1. EDGAR J. CASTRO, age 31, of Chicago, Illinois

   2. JOSE LOPEZ-RAMOS, age 27, of Berwyn, Illinois

   3. EDWARDO GONZALEZ, age 30, of Norridge, Illinois

   4. PEDRO SOTELO, age 46, of Chicago, Illinois

   5. JUAN CONTRERAS, age 22, of Joliet, Illinois

   6. JUAN LUIS CONTRERAS, age 24, of Joliet, Illinois

   7. DAVID CONTRERAS, age 18, of Joliet, Illinois

   8. RICHARD RODRIGUEZ, age 38, of Joliet, Illinois

   9. ISMAEL P. CISNEROS, age 25, of Joliet, Illinois

 10. JESUS M. MONTALVO, age 32, of Berwyn, Illinois

 11. RAYMUNDO LUMBRERAS-GUEVARA, age 35, of Cicero, Illinois

 12. JORGE A. FRANCHINI, age 40, of Joliet, Illinois

 13. WALTER ROBINSON, age 32, of Joliet, Illinois

 14. ZACARIAS UNZUETA, age 32, of Joliet, Illinois

Those arrested on immigration charges are identified as:

   1. RICARDO MAGANA, age 34, of Chicago, Illinois

   2. ALFONZO GOZALEZ, age 28, of Melrose Park, Illinois

   3. JOSE LUIS CASTRO SANCHEZ, age 35, of Chicago, Illinois

A remaining defendant, EDGARDO CASTELLANOS, age 26, whose last known address is 606 Jerome Street in Joliet, remains at large and is considered a fugitive from justice.

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.




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