20 Pounds Of Cocaine Seized In Cleveland, DOJ Says

CLEVELAND - The DEA seized nearly 20 pounds of cocaine, fentanyl and $1 million during an investigation in Cleveland, the Department of Justice announced.

“Intercepting 20 pounds of cocaine, as well as fentanyl, before it hits the streets of Cleveland will undoubtedly save lives,” U.S. Attorney Justin Herdman said. “The DEA and their partners are to be thanked for working around the clock this weekend to make the arrests and seize the drugs, as well as approximately $1 million in drug proceeds.”

Five people have been indicted for shipping narcotics to Northeast Ohio, the DOJ said. Kenneth Bradshaw, 53, of Cleveland, Jorge Alberto Barrera, 43, of Mexico, Jorge Alberto Barrera Gutierrez Jr., 24, of Fresno, California, Miguel Angel Marquez, 44, of Fresno, California, and Donald Earl Knighten 43, of Bedford, all face charges of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute narcotics.

All five people were taken into custody on June 15, according to the indictment. DEA agents searched a home on Addison Road in Cleveland and found nine individually wrapped bundles of cocaine and 32 bundles of cash, court documents said.

Agents also searched Bradshaw's home on E. 85th Street and found nearly 200 grams of suspected fentanyl and 595 grams of marijuana, court documents said.

“The DEA’s mission is to disrupt the flow of dangerous drugs, and this case is a great example of that work. This seizure and arrests will help make Cleveland safer," said DEA Acting Special Agent in Charge Keith W. Martin.