28 Arrested in Drug-Smuggling Ring, Brought Cocaine from Honduras

28 people have been arrested for their parts in smuggling cocaine from Honduras to the United States. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has reportedly arrested 28 people allegedly involved in the cocaine-smuggling ring, which operated for six years. Members of the trafficking ring have allegedly wired more than $1 million from the United States back to cocaine suppliers in Honduras. “Through creativity and coordination, this tight network of Honduran immigrants allegedly distributed vast amounts of cocaine throughout Northern Virginia and across the mid-Atlantic,” said U.S. Attorney MacBride. “Thanks to close partnerships among law enforcement, we were able to put together the case that led to today’s charges.” Smugglers are said to have brought cocaine into the U.S. from Honduras by using common items like shoes and wooden frames. Once in the U.S., the drugs were According to the affidavit, the trafficking ring was discovered in the autumn of 2011 by law enforcement after the investigation and arrest of Lindor Delis Martinez-Guevara, aka Lindo or Genero, 38, of Falls Church, Va., and Melcy Yalexsy Guevara-Barrera, aka Pedro or Primo, 35, of Vienna, Va., by the Fairfax County Police Department. The affidavit states that Lindor moved from Honduras to Virginia to deal cocaine and that he was the person who came up with the idea to hide cocaine in frames. Those named in the criminal complaint were charged with conspiracy to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine, which carries a minimum mandatory of five years in prison and a maximum penalty of 40 years in prison. The full list of those arrested (and their aliases) is below. -Hector Mauricio Amaya, aka Conejo or Kaubil, 36, of Falls Church, Va. -Genis Jhesson Amaya-Pena, aka Jenis Yexon Amaya-Pena or Flaco or Juanchope, 25, of Vienna, Va. -Marvin Eduardo Escobar Barrios, aka Catracho or Garrobo, 37, of West Falls Church, Va. -Wilson Reniery Guevara, aka Wilsson R. Guevara, 34, of Manassas, Va. -Joel Lopez, 41, of Springfield, Va. -Annelo Argueta Reyes, aka Nelo, 35, of Falls Church, Va. -Mario Noel Medina-Aguilar, aka Noel, 28, of Falls Church, Va. -Julio Giovanni Nolasco, aka Puma, 18, of Falls Church Va. -Concepcion Benitez-Pineda, aka Conchi or Concha, 38, of Arlington, Va. -Mario Benitez-Pineda, aka Chaparro or Cuzuco, 42, of Falls Church, Va. -Santos Efrain Carbajal Benites, 24, of Arlington, Va. -Angel Zelaya Lizama, aka El Diablo, 29, of Falls Church, Va. -Jose Delores Vanegas, aka Chivito, 40, of Arlington, Va. -Isaias Abrego-Mancia, 28, of Herndon, Va. -Rudy Humberto Tabaro, aka Rudy Humberto Tabara or Colocho, 30, of Lutherville, Md. -Edwin Espana Morales, 38, of Riverdale, Md. -Jose Lorenzo Saravia, aka Jose Saravia-Lozano, 40, of Manassas, Va. -FNU LNU, aka Alex or Gordito, of Falls Church, Va. -Maria Florinda Benitez-Pineda, aka Flor or Loli, 26, of Baltimore, Md. -Jose Maria Benites-Pineda, 32, of Arlington, Va. -Jose Enrique Funez, aka Jose Enrique Funz-Garay or Jose Enrique Funes-Garay or Rick, 40, of Norfolk, Va. -Martin Juarez-Lopez, 19, of Falls Church, Va. -Gloria Elena Olivia Castro, 25, of Springfield, Va. -Joaquin Avila-Rodriguez, aka Pollo, 40, of Herndon, Va. Discuss This Article in Our Forums