CINCINNATI -- Federal authorities have charged six southern Ohio residents in connection to a heroin trafficking ring, they announced Thursday.
Authorities arrested Fairfield residents Miguel Monroy-Cuadros, 29, Annel Reyes-Valdes, 28, Armando Gonzalez-Rosas, 25, and Oxford residents Omar Santos, 37 and Armando Reyes, 36, Wednesday. Another suspect, Felix Garcia-Rosas, 30, of Liberty Township, is wanted.
The DEA began investigating the group after buying heroin from Gonzalez-Rosas last fall, authorities said. Agents then began intercepting cellphone communications. Investigators observed drug buys on numerous occasions between October and January, they said.
Court documents in the case were unsealed Thursday.
The group used an Oxford farm where Santos and Reyes lived as a stash for drugs and proceeds, according to an affidavit. Monroy-Cuadros supplied the drugs and Reyes-Valdes wired proceeds to Mexico.
Earlier this month, state troopers discovered more than $132,000 in a vehicle, including more than $50,000 authorities believe was delivered by Monroy-Cuadros. A few weeks later, Butler County deputies stopped Monroy-Cuadros and found $10,000 in a plastic bag.
On Monday, agents learned that Monroy-Cuadros was taking a bus from Chicago to Mexico. He was arrested in Dallas when police there stopped the bus.
Authorities searched the Oxford farm and a home in Fairfield the next day. They found several firearms "strategically located as if for defense against home invasion" and 300 grams of heroin, as well as money transfer receipts.
All six suspects are facing charges of conspiracy to possess and distribute more than 1,000 grams of heroin.
Gonzalez-Rosas and Garcia-Rosas are also facing charges of distribution of heroin. Monroy-Cuadros, Santos and Reyes are facing charges of possession with intent to distribute more than 100 grams of heroin. Santos and Reyes are facing charges of unlawful possession of firearms by an illegal alien and unlawfully possessing firearms in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.
