Major Drug Trafficking Organization Bust Results in Seizure of 18 Tons of Illegal Drugs
Arizona Free Press
← Back to
Our Top Stories
Seven Arrested in ArizonaSeizure of Drugs with Estimated Value of $11.9 Million - $45 Million in Cash and 18 Tons of Illegal Drugs Seized in "Operation Imperial Emperor"
Phoenix United States Attorney Daniel Knauss and DEA Special Agent-in Charge Timothy J. Landrum recently announced the culmination of two local Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) investigations named "Operation River Warriors" and Operation "Cut Throat" that resulted in the arrest of seven suspects on state and federal charges. In the course of the investigation, authorities seized over 28,000 pounds of marijuana, 93 pounds of cocaine, 4 pounds of methamphetamine, and over 2 pounds of heroin destined for American cities.
Arizona's enforcement operations are part of the nationwide culmination of "Operation Imperial Emperor," a multi-agency investigation that targeted the Mexico based Victor Emilio Cazares-Gastellum drug trafficking organization, which has been responsible for 
supplying multi-ton quantities of cocaine, as well as large amounts of methamphetamine and marijuana to distribution cells throughout the United States. Over 400 arrests have been made nationwide, including 66 on the morning of February 28 in Arizona, California, and Illinois.
In Yuma County, agencies targeted two of these distribution cells. Investigators identified the cells' top leaders and stash house locations as well as the transportation 
routes used by the organizations. Originating in Mexico, the drug shipments passed through the international border and into Yuma County, Arizona. Smugglers would typically traverse through the Imperial Sand Dunes and the Colorado River, employing all-terrain vehicles and sand bag construction to cross the river, and counter- surveillance techniques to thwart law enforcement. Smugglers also used modified vehicle compartments to smuggle multi-kilo loads of marijuana and other drugs through the Port Of Entry. From Yuma County, the drugs were then transported to Phoenix, Arizona and Los Angeles, California.
This joint operation also included the Department of Homeland Security's Bureau of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Arizona Department of Public Safety (DPS), United States Border Patrol (USBP), Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), U.S. Attorney's Office, Yuma County Attorney's Office, Yuma Police Department (YPD), Yuma County Sheriff's Office (YCSO), La Paz County Sheriff's Office and a host of state and local law enforcement agencies.
The OCDETF initiative was coordinated by DEA's Special Operations Division (SOD) based in Washington, D.C.
Approximately 40 agents and officers executed eight arrest and search warrants at residences in Yuma, San Luis, and Somerton. Seven were arrested, five on federal charges, and two on state charges. Those arrested on federal charges were indicted by a federal grand jury on drug conspiracy and possession charges. Taken into custody today on federal warrants were: Arnulfo Romero-Caro, 26, Ramces Urias-Valenzuela, 27, Aureliano Armando Martinez, 28, Isaac Ramirez-Valenzuela, 28, and Jose Guadalupe Ayala, 23. Arrested on the 28th on state warrants were Fabrial Luna and Luis Mayorquin.
In the course of the execution of search/arrest warrants, agents seized five cell phones, six vehicles including two ATVs, various documents, over $8,000 in cash and money orders, and small amounts of marijuana and cocaine. These arrests and seizures were the result of a 14-month enforcement effort that targeted transportation and distribution cells 
operating primarily in the Yuma area as well as in San Luis Colorado, Sonora, Mexico and Baja California, Mexico. DEA Yuma has documented drug seizures to this organizational conspiracy as far back as 1999.
Warrants remain outstanding for Macedonio Guerrero aka "Lolo" , 33, and Francisco Olivarez Arvizu, aka "Flaco." Both are believed to be key figures in drug smuggling across the Southwestern border and are believed to be hiding in Mexico. Guerrero was arrested in February 2003 in Yuma, Ariz. and pleaded guilty in federal district court in San Diego to possession with intent to distribute marijuana, but did not appear for sentencing. Arvizu was indicted in June 2002 by a grand jury in Phoenix on possession with intent to distribute marijuana.
U.S. Attorney for the District of Arizona Daniel Knauss, stated "[This] operation shows how the law enforcement community works together to target international criminal organizations that have targeted American communities with a huge supply of drugs across the southwest border. I am grateful to the federal and local law enforcement agencies and officers who have dedicated themselves to breaking down that pipeline.
The following defendants face federal drug conspiracy charges in connection with this investigation: Operation Cut Throat: Ramces Urias-Valenzuela, 27 (arrested Feb 28); Isaac Ramirez-Valenzuela, 28 (arrested Feb 28); Arnulfo Romero-Caro, 26 (arrested Feb 28); Jose Guadalupe Ayala, 23 (arrested Feb 28); Julio Cesar Hernandez, 31 (in state custody); Aureliano Armando Martinez, 28 (arrested Feb 28); Armando Franco-Alfaro, aka "Negro", 42 (in state custody)
If convicted of drug trafficking conspiracy, a defendant faces up to life in prison and/or a $4 million fine.
An indictment is simply the method by which a person is charged with criminal activity and raises no inference of guilt.
An individual is presumed innocent until competent evidence is presented to a jury that establishes guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
Phoenix United States Attorney Daniel Knauss and DEA Special Agent-in Charge Timothy J. Landrum recently announced the culmination of two local Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) investigations named "Operation River Warriors" and Operation "Cut Throat" that resulted in the arrest of seven suspects on state and federal charges. In the course of the investigation, authorities seized over 28,000 pounds of marijuana, 93 pounds of cocaine, 4 pounds of methamphetamine, and over 2 pounds of heroin destined for American cities.
Arizona's enforcement operations are part of the nationwide culmination of "Operation Imperial Emperor," a multi-agency investigation that targeted the Mexico based Victor Emilio Cazares-Gastellum drug trafficking organization, which has been responsible for supplying multi-ton quantities of cocaine, as well as large amounts of methamphetamine and marijuana to distribution cells throughout the United States. Over 400 arrests have been made nationwide, including 66 on the morning of February 28 in Arizona, California, and Illinois.
In Yuma County, agencies targeted two of these distribution cells. Investigators identified the cells' top leaders and stash house locations as well as the transportation routes used by the organizations. Originating in Mexico, the drug shipments passed through the international border and into Yuma County, Arizona. Smugglers would typically traverse through the Imperial Sand Dunes and the Colorado River, employing all-terrain vehicles and sand bag construction to cross the river, and counter- surveillance techniques to thwart law enforcement. Smugglers also used modified vehicle compartments to smuggle multi-kilo loads of marijuana and other drugs through the Port Of Entry. From Yuma County, the drugs were then transported to Phoenix, Arizona and Los Angeles, California.
This joint operation also included the Department of Homeland Security's Bureau of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Arizona Department of Public Safety (DPS), United States Border Patrol (USBP), Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), U.S. Attorney's Office, Yuma County Attorney's Office, Yuma Police Department (YPD), Yuma County Sheriff's Office (YCSO), La Paz County Sheriff's Office and a host of state and local law enforcement agencies.
The OCDETF initiative was coordinated by DEA's Special Operations Division (SOD) based in Washington, D.C.
Approximately 40 agents and officers executed eight arrest and search warrants at residences in Yuma, San Luis, and Somerton. Seven were arrested, five on federal charges, and two on state charges. Those arrested on federal charges were indicted by a federal grand jury on drug conspiracy and possession charges. Taken into custody today on federal warrants were: Arnulfo Romero-Caro, 26, Ramces Urias-Valenzuela, 27, Aureliano Armando Martinez, 28, Isaac Ramirez-Valenzuela, 28, and Jose Guadalupe Ayala, 23. Arrested on the 28th on state warrants were Fabrial Luna and Luis Mayorquin.
In the course of the execution of search/arrest warrants, agents seized five cell phones, six vehicles including two ATVs, various documents, over $8,000 in cash and money orders, and small amounts of marijuana and cocaine. These arrests and seizures were the result of a 14-month enforcement effort that targeted transportation and distribution cells operating primarily in the Yuma area as well as in San Luis Colorado, Sonora, Mexico and Baja California, Mexico. DEA Yuma has documented drug seizures to this organizational conspiracy as far back as 1999.
Warrants remain outstanding for Macedonio Guerrero aka "Lolo" , 33, and Francisco Olivarez Arvizu, aka "Flaco." Both are believed to be key figures in drug smuggling across the Southwestern border and are believed to be hiding in Mexico. Guerrero was arrested in February 2003 in Yuma, Ariz. and pleaded guilty in federal district court in San Diego to possession with intent to distribute marijuana, but did not appear for sentencing. Arvizu was indicted in June 2002 by a grand jury in Phoenix on possession with intent to distribute marijuana.
U.S. Attorney for the District of Arizona Daniel Knauss, stated "[This] operation shows how the law enforcement community works together to target international criminal organizations that have targeted American communities with a huge supply of drugs across the southwest border. I am grateful to the federal and local law enforcement agencies and officers who have dedicated themselves to breaking down that pipeline.
The following defendants face federal drug conspiracy charges in connection with this investigation: Operation Cut Throat: Ramces Urias-Valenzuela, 27 (arrested Feb 28); Isaac Ramirez-Valenzuela, 28 (arrested Feb 28); Arnulfo Romero-Caro, 26 (arrested Feb 28); Jose Guadalupe Ayala, 23 (arrested Feb 28); Julio Cesar Hernandez, 31 (in state custody); Aureliano Armando Martinez, 28 (arrested Feb 28); Armando Franco-Alfaro, aka "Negro", 42 (in state custody)
If convicted of drug trafficking conspiracy, a defendant faces up to life in prison and/or a $4 million fine.
An indictment is simply the method by which a person is charged with criminal activity and raises no inference of guilt.
An individual is presumed innocent until competent evidence is presented to a jury that establishes guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.