8 charged in southwest Ohio fentanyl distribution ring

ajc.com

Eight people accused of conspiring to sell at least 14 kilograms of fentanyl in Clark, Greene, Hamilton and Montgomery counties were charged by a federal grand jury.

The suspects are charged with conspiring to distribute more than 400 grams of fentanyl, according to the U.S. Department of Justice Southern District of Ohio. The charge carries a sentence of 10 years to life in prison.

Jonathan Lopez, left, and Edson Cruz-Medina are among eight people charged in a narcotics distribution ring that conspired to distribute fentanyl in Clark, Greene, Hamilton and Montgomery counties. Both are being held in the Montgomery County Jail, according to jail booking records.

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The eight people charged include:

  • Clemente Quezada, 38, of Fairborn
  • Isai “Pollo” David Navarro-Rivas, 44, of Calexico, California
  • Juana Elvira-Arrechea Gilbert, 60, of San Diego
  • Edson Cruz-Medina, 32, of Springfield
  • Tiun Todd, aka Tito Todd, 37, of Cincinnati
  • Jonathan Lopez, 31, of Cincinnati
  • Mark Turner, 42, of Xenia
  • Erick Collins, aka Erick Johnson, 36, of Cincinnati

“This is a sophisticated, alleged drug trafficking organization that stretched from the Mexican border to southern Ohio. We believe this group, and others who we are working to bring to justice, are responsible for trafficking a significant amount of fentanyl into southern Ohio,” said Drug Enforcement Administration Special Agent in Charge Keith Martin. “Fentanyl remains a significant threat to this region. DEA and our law enforcement partners are intensifying efforts to go after those who exchange the suffering of thousands for their own personal gain.”

The indictment alleged that between December and June, the suspects used a network of sellers to distribute kilograms of opioids from suppliers in Mexico and the western U.S., according to the Southern District of Ohio.

The distribution ring reportedly used properties in southern Ohio to process, store and distribute controlled substances and the money made from it.

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