Hundreds Of Pounds Of Cocaine Seized In Ohio Drug Bust

Thirteen people have been arrested for allegedly bringing hundreds of pounds of cocaine into Northeast Ohio, the Department of Justice announced on Monday. The group also allegedly had 17 firearms in their possession.

When police arrested the suspects, they also seized 17 firearms, nearly 1,500 rounds of ammunition, approximately $592,579 in cash, more than 13 kilograms of cocaine, more than 22 kilograms of marijuana as well as heroin and crystal methamphetamine as part of the investigation. The group sold cocaine in Canton, Massillon and other cities throughout Greater Cleveland, according to the DOJ.

“One only needs to look at the firearms, cash and amount of drugs associated with this crew to understand the threat they pose to our community,” said U.S. Attorney Justin Herdman. “Getting these defendants off the streets will save lives.”

Between April and September 2017, six members of the group acquired 110 pounds of cocaine and then sold it throughout Ohio, the DOJ said.

Then, between October and November 2017, nine members of the group tried to acquire 550 pounds of cocaine, the DOJ said. They acquired the substance with the help of four others and then sold the substance throughout Northeast Ohio.

“The indictment of thirteen people is significant and an indication that cocaine is still a threat to Northern Ohio,” said DEA Special Agent in Charge Timothy Plancon. “Dismantling the activities of a large-scale, gun toting, cocaine organization is a victory for the community and was achieved by significant cooperative efforts of numerous local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies.”

The investigation into the drug ring was a collaboration between the DEA, ATF, FBI, Medway Drug Task Force, Canton Police Department, Jackson Township Police Department, Louisville Police Department and Homeland Security Investigations.

The 13 people named in the indictment are: Apolinar Meraz-Magana, 55, of Massillon; Ignacio Cuevas-Gutierrez, 33, of Massillon; Jose Luis Martinez-Maldonado, 26, of Canton; Manuel Sarmiento Ibarra, 40, of Canton; Jonathan Quezada, 22, of Sterling; Juan Ramon Mora-Hurtado, 29, of Massillon; Karla Hernandez-Salazar, 30, of Massillon; Juan Benito Caro-Silva, 23, of Massillon; Phillip Blough, 28, of Smithville; Stamontae Sanders, 25, of Canton; Mark Momie, 51, of Canton; Celestino Penalosa, 30, of Orrville, and Dave McClellan. 43, of Massillon.

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