FARGO, N.D. — Nine people have been indicted in North Dakota for their alleged involvement in a multi-state drug operation run from a federal prison cell.
Prosecutors say beginning in January 2022, the distribution network moved significant quantities of methamphetamine, heroin and fentanyl from Mexico into North Dakota, Minnesota, California, Colorado, Georgia, Missouri, Texas, Arizona and elsewhere. The operation was allegedly run by 26-year-old Jesus Amurahaby Celestin-Ortega, also known as Flaco, using a contraband cell phone while he was incarcerated in federal prison on unrelated drug and firearm charges.
Celestin-Ortega is charged with Conspiracy to Distribute Controlled Substances, Conspiracy to Import Controlled Substances, Money Laundering Conspiracy and Continuing Criminal Enterprise.
Also charged via indictment are:
Rafael Bueno-Nava, 49, Fridley, Minnesota: Conspiracy to Distribute Controlled Substances, Conspiracy to Import Controlled Substances, Money Laundering Conspiracy
Trinidad Torres Meraz, 58, Riverside, CA: Conspiracy to Distribute Controlled Substances, Conspiracy to Import Controlled Substances, Money Laundering Conspiracy
Edgar Hernandez, also known as Ivan Edgar Hernandez Vasquez, 43: Conspiracy to Distribute Controlled Substances
Maria De La Cruz Estrada Moreno, 40, El Paso, Texas: Conspiracy to Distribute Controlled Substances; Conspiracy to Import Controlled Substances, Money Laundering Conspiracy
Jesse Rocha, 25, Denver, Colorado: Conspiracy to Distribute Controlled Substances
Ryan James Stevens, 41, Arvada, Colorado: Conspiracy to Distribute Controlled Substances, Conspiracy to Import Controlled Substances
Christian Ivan Gonzalez, 31, Phoenix, Arizona: Conspiracy to Distribute Controlled Substances
Martina Lucia Mendez, 26, Gilbert, Arizona: Conspiracy to Distribute Controlled Substances, Conspiracy to Import Controlled Substances
Celestin-Ortega and six of his alleged co-conspirators are in custody and have made their initial appearances in court. Hernandez and Mendez remain fugitives.
If convicted, the defendants face a maximum penalty of life in prison on the drug distribution conspiracy counts and the importation conspiracy counts and a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison on money laundering charges.
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