Authorities seized guns, ammo and nearly $600,000, crimping the trade of illegal drugs throughout Stark County.
CANTON Federal agents seized 17 guns, nearly 1,500 rounds of ammunition and more than one-half million dollars in connection with a cocaine trafficking operation that left 13 people behind bars.
Ten of them are Stark County residents, believed to have been bringing hundreds of pounds of cocaine into the area and selling it in Canton, Massillon and surrounding areas, according to a news release from Jason M. Katz, the assistant U.S. Attorney who is prosecuting the case.
Agents and investigators with the FBI, ATF, DEA, Medway Drug Task Force, Canton Police Department, Jackson Township Police Department, Louisville Police Department and Homeland Security Investigations combined efforts, resulting in the 80-count federal indictment. They seized the guns and ammunition, about $592,579 in cash, more than 13 kilograms of cocaine, more than 22 kilograms of marijuana and undisclosed amounts of heroin and crystal meth, Katz said in a news release Monday afternoon.
"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."
According to Katz, the following people have been indicted:
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
Dave McClellan. 43, of Massillon.
Authorities believe Salazar, Silva, Sanders, Maldonado, Quezada, Penalosa, Momie, McClellan and Blough conspired to obtain about 550 pounds of cocaine from October through November. Salazar and Silva obtained the cocaine and distributed it to Sanders, Maldonado, Quezada, Penalosa, Momie, McClellan and Blough. Those seven in turn sold the cocaine to people throughout Ohio.
Blough was charged with possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking, Katz said. Salazar, Silva and Quezada were also charged with being aliens in possession of firearms and/or ammunition.
Magana, Gutierrez, Maldonado, Quezada, Hurtado and Ibarra conspired to possess more than 110 pounds of cocaine from April through September 2017, Katz said. Magana and Gutierrez got the cocaine from suppliers and then distributed it to Maldonado, Ibarra, Quezada and Hurtado, who sold it to other people throughout the state.
Magana was also charged with being an alien in possession of firearms and ammunition, possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking, possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, possession with intent to distribute marijuana, possession with intent to distribute heroin, and other violations, Katz said.
"These arrests are the next phase of a complex investigation that spans multiple agencies and jurisdictions," stated Trevor Velinor, Special Agent in Charge of ATF's Columbus Field Division. "The ultimate goal is to make Canton and the surrounding communities safer for everyone, and ATF will continue to work with our partners to that end."
FBI Special Agent in Charge Stephen D. Anthony said: "This group of individuals brought poison and danger to our neighborhoods. This is yet another example of law enforcement's collaborative efforts to disrupt and rid violent drug dealing groups from our streets."
Reach Lori at 330-580-8309 or lori.stieneck@cantonrep.com.
On Twitter: @lsteineckREP