Federal, state, and local authorities have arrested more than 20 individuals—over the past two days—charged in narcotics trafficking schemes with ties to the Cártel de Jalisco Nueva Generación (CJNG). These arrests are a result of a Drug Enforcement Administration operation, Project Python, intent upon targeting CJNG.  

AUSTIN   A federal grand jury in Austin has charged 18 individuals with conspiring to distribute cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine and other narcotics in the Austin area since April 2017.  The defendants include: Maria Benitez-Ugarte (29) of Dale, TX; Rogelio Arias-Cruz (36) of Dale, TX; Linde DiGregorio (47) of Marble Falls, TX; Amanda Sales (34) of Manor, TX; Vicente Rodriguez (35) of Austin; Jordan Salas (27) of Houston; Perla Cruz (28) of Austin; Blanca Ruiz-Garcia (42) of Kyle, TX; Shadrick Croxton (38) of Marble Falls, TX; Brandon Grigsby (24) of Lago Vista, TX; Antoinne Banks (43) of Austin; Matt Kite of Humble, TX; David Steinbach (35) of San Angelo, TX; Charlie Jones (25) of Austin; Cory Patton (27) of Austin; Guillermo Alvarez-Ramirez (35) of Austin; Ricardo Hernandez (30) of Austin; and, Aaron Chavez (31) of Austin.

To date, in connection with this investigation, law enforcement officers have seized 33 kilograms of methamphetamine, 1 kilogram of heroin, 250 grams of cocaine and $13,000 in assets.

This South Texas High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area investigation was conducted by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Cedar Park Police Department, Texas Department of Public Safety, Austin Police Department, Hays County Sheriff’s Office, and the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Enforcement and Removal Operations (ICE-ERO). 

SAN ANTONIO   A federal grand jury in San Antonio has charged multiple individuals with conspiring to distribute cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine and other narcotics in the San Antonio area since March 2019.  The defendants arrested include:  Johnathan Andrew Chapa (33); Roger Diaz (34); John David Medrano (24); Julian Jimmy Gonzalez (34); Deandra Lee Garcia (30); and Ashley Lorraine Ruiz (26), all from the San Antonio area.

“The arrests made in Austin and San Antonio were part of a coordinated nationwide enforcement operation undertaken by the Department of Justice and DEA targeting elements of the Cártel de Jalisco Nueva Generación (CJNG) in the United States.  The CJNG is a violent drug trafficking organization responsible for the importation of ton quantities of cocaine, heroin, and methamphetamine across the United States,” said DEA Special Agent in Charge Steven S. Whipple.

All of the defendants arrested are to be presented to a U. S. Magistrate Judge who will determine their pre-trial detention status.  Each defendant faces punishment of either five to forty years, or ten years to life, in federal prison upon conviction.  Detention hearings are expected to occur over the next two weeks in U.S. Magistrate Court in Austin and San Antonio.

U.S. Attorney John F. Bash, DEA Houston Division Special Agent in Charge Whipple, U.S. Marshal Susan Pamerleau, Texas Department of Public Safety Director Steven McCraw, Cedar Park Police Acting Chief Michael Harmon, Hays County Sheriff Gary Cutler, and Austin Police Chief Brian Manley joined in making the announcement.

More information on Project Python can be found at https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/dea-led-operation-nets-more-600-arrests-targeting-c-rtel-jalisco-nueva-generaci-n

It is important to note that an indictment is merely a charge and should not be considered as evidence of guilt.  The defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

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The year 2020 marks the 150th anniversary of the Department of Justice.  Learn more about the history of our agency at www.Justice.gov/Celebrating150Years.