Mexico-To-Maryland Cocaine Ring Dismantled, 31 Kilos and $2.4 Million Seized
Today, the DEA is celebrating last week’s arrests of four men and the confiscation of 31 kilos of cocaine and $2.4 million in cash, in Maryland. The seizure is the end result of an eight-month long investigation and indicates the dismantling of a multi-million dollar cocaine enterprise with ties to a major Mexican drug organization. The 31 kilos are said to be worth $2 million on the street.
Court papers report that the DEA got a tip that a trucking company, called KMKJ Trucking, was transporting vast quantities of cocaine from Mexico into Maryland. According to CBS:
Investigators say men unloaded a tractor trailer at the warehouse last Wednesday. On Friday, they pulled over a car leaving unit L and found nearly 60 pounds of cocaine inside. Sixty-four-year-old Hector Hernandez-Villapando and his two sons, Enixae and Hector Hernandez-Barbra were arrested, along with alleged accomplice William Cornish.
Investigators say when they served a search warrant at one of the suspects’ homes, they found even more evidence: more than $2 million vacuum-sealed, hidden in duffel bags in the basement, along with a ledger of drug transaction receipts.
People who work in the area are “shocked.” One person said, “It’s surprising to just know it was that close. That’s what kind of wows me. I know it’s out there but…10 feet away is kind of crazy.”
“I honestly really haven’t seen anyone there; haven’t noticed anyone coming around since then,” said Kevin Sykes.
The four men arrested face life in prison. The authorities believe that this bust will have a major impact on the flow of coke into Baltimore City.
Read here about the sentencing of Baltimore kingpin “Pretty Ricky” Jenifer.
