6 People Charged For Role In Northeast Ohio Cocaine Ring

CLEVELAND, OH - Charges have been brought against six people for their role in a drug conspiracy to bring cocaine to Northeast Ohio. During the investigation into the ring, police seized 17 kilograms (about 37 pounds) of cocaine and more than $500,000 in cash, law enforcement said in a statement.

Marty V. McCaulley, 42, of Lyndhurst; Carl D. Penny, 50, of Oldsmar, Florida; Adolfo Maya Magadan, 58, of Glenn Heights, Texas; Renee Ballin Serna, 24, of Chicago; Omar S. Williams, 41, of South Euclid, and Paul V. Cramer, 44, of Willowick were all charged with conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute and distribution of cocaine.

“The amount of cocaine, cash and guns taken off this group is remarkable,” U.S. Attorney Carole S. Rendon said in a statement. “It demonstrates they were serious drug traffickers, but law enforcement from across Northeast Ohio was able to work together to stop them.”

According to the indictment, the drug ring spanned multiple states and involved a ton of players. Things started in Texas, with Magadan, who would bring cocaine into the Buckeye State. He would then sell it to McCaulley and McCaulley would get it distributed throughout the Northeast Ohio region.

The actual trade of drugs for cash and cash for drugs was complicated. Police say McCaulley (from Lyndhurst) met with Serna (from Illinois) at a hotel in Willoughby Hills on Feb. 3 and gave him $110,000 in cash. Magadan then delivered six kilograms of cocaine to Serna and Serna gave the drugs to McCaulley. A kilogram of cocaine was then distributed by McCaulley.

McCaulley and Serna then met with Penny (from Florida) at an apartment in Willoughby Hills. Penny provided the tools of the trade, including: digital scales, plastic bags, rubber bans, and $103,100 in cash.

Another member of the drug ring, Williams (of South Euclid), had nearly eight kilograms of cocaine in a residence in South Euclid on Feb. 4, the indictment says. Williams also had $210,041 in cash.

Attorneys for the state are looking for a forfeit of $511,734 in cash, four firearms, and a 2011 Jeep Wrangler, all of which were seized during the investigation.

Special Agent in Charge Timothy J. Plancon said in a statement: “The seizure of 17 kilograms of cocaine and over half a million dollars from this group indicates that they were part of a large, multi-state conspiracy. Putting an end to their activities makes everyone in the region a little bit safer. The success of the investigation up to this point has been made possible thanks to the significant cooperation among all of our law enforcement partners.”

A large group of law enforcement agencies worked together on the investigation. The DEA, the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation, the Medina County Drug Task Force, and the Ohio State Highway Patrol led the group. The core groups were assisted by the Lake County Narcotics Agency, Cuyahoga Sheriff’s Office, Cleveland Heights Police Department, Cleveland Division of Police, Lorain County Drug Task Force, Ashtabula County Sheriff’s Office and Customs and Border Protection. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Henry F. DeBaggis.

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