United States Attorney James T. Jacks
Northern District of Texas

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 1, 2009
http://www.usdoj.gov/usao/txn/

ARRESTS MADE IN COCAINE AND METHAMPHETAMINE
TRAFFICKING CONSPIRACIES

LUBBOCK, Texas — Seven defendants, named in two indictments returned by a federal grand jury in Lubbock, Texas last month and unsealed today, were arrested today by Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) agents, announced U.S. Attorney James T. Jacks of the Northern District of Texas. The indictments charge a total of 10 defendants with cocaine/methamphetamine trafficking and some with various substantive drug and/or firearm charges. One defendant charged is already in state custody; two remain fugitives. Additionally, law enforcement officers executed several search warrants at various locations today which resulted in the seizure of additional quantities of cocaine, drug trafficking paraphernalia, firearms, and U.S. currency.

U.S. Attorney Jacks said, “These Organized Crime and Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) indictments and arrests are the result of an excellent, well-coordinated, multi-agency law enforcement investigation and effort that included the DEA, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, the Department of Public Safety, the Lubbock Police Department, the Lubbock County Sheriff’s Office, and the Lamb County Sheriff’s Office. This operation illustrates the cohesive nature of federal, state, and local law enforcement in West Texas and their ability to obtain outstanding results through that cooperation.”

“The arrests and seizures made today will significantly impact and disrupt this large scale methamphetamine and cocaine trafficking organization,” said James L. Capra, Special Agent in Charge of the Dallas Field Division’s Drug Enforcement Administration. “Illegal drugs are an equal opportunity destroyer; they harm individuals, their families and our communities. We are committed to ensuring that our Lubbock neighborhoods remain safe and that those drug traffickers who threaten these communities are brought to justice.”

In one indictment, Lubbock residents, Davey Roland Burks, Jr., 37, and Ricky Reyes, 35,are each charged with conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute cocaine. Burks is charged with two counts and Reyes is charged with one count of distribution and possession with intent to distribute cocaine. Reyes is also charged with one count of possession with intent to distribute cocaine and two counts of possession with intent to distribute cocaine base (crack cocaine). Reyes was arrested this morning; Burks remains a fugitive.

Defendants named in the second indictment include:

∙ Rolando Garcia Carrasco, 56, of Abernathy, Texas
∙ Juan Manuel Carrasco, 55, Olton, Texas
∙ Rene Zuniga, 47, of Lubbock (fugitive)
∙ Feliciano Hernandez, Jr., 57, Lubbock
∙ Reynaldo Zavala , 47, Lubbock
∙ Ricky Hernandez, 37, Lubbock (in state custody)
∙ Carlos Puente, 38, Lubbock
∙ Johnny Joe Carrasco, 35, of Abernathy, Texas

The second indictment charges all defendants with conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine and 500 grams or more of cocaine, alleging that the defendants ran their conspiracy since January 2006. All of the defendants are charged with various substantive cocaine and/or methamphetamine counts and defendant Rene Zuniga is also charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm and possession of firearms in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. This indictment also includes a forfeiture allegation which, upon conviction, would require defendants to forfeit approximately $500,000, numerous vehicles, firearms and several pieces of real estate.

An indictment is an accusation by a federal grand jury and a defendant is entitled to the presumption of innocence unless proven guilty. However, if convicted, each defendant faces a maximum statutory sentence of life in prison and a fine of several million dollars.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Ann Cruce-Roberts and Jeffrey R. Haag of the Lubbock, Texas, U.S. Attorney’s Office.

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