HSI details $4.7M narcotics trafficking indictment

The U.S. Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) recently led an investigation that led to the indictment of 20 Mexican nationals among 39 defendants for narcotics trafficking.

The individuals had roles in a $4.7 million conspiracy to distribute more than 335 kilograms of methamphetamine and 22 kilograms of heroin over the past two years.

“This operation took a significant amount of illegal drugs off the street and disrupted a large Mexican drug-trafficking organization in the Kansas City metropolitan area,” U.S. Attorney Teresa Moore said. “State, local, and federal law enforcement agencies worked together in this Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces operation to bring drug traffickers to justice and protect our community from the violence and other harms that result from the flow of illegal drugs.”

Per HSI, the operation involved over 140 officers and agents from 14 state, local, and federal law enforcement agencies, yielding arrests of 31 defendants charged in the indictment – and three additional felony state arrests.

According to HSI, three federal defendants were already in custody at the time of the takedown, and five remain fugitives from justice.

The defendants are charged with participating in a conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and heroin from Feb. 28, 2020, to June 1, 2022.

“This indictment represents HSI and our law enforcement partners’ dedication to removing deadly narcotics from our community,” Special Agent in Charge of the Kansas City area of responsibility Katherine Greer said. “We stand alongside our community leaders, stakeholders, and the public, to continue our work toward a safer community without the significant dangers associated with these illegal substances.”