INDIANAPOLIS: Formal charges were announced against four men in a major drug trafficking organization. The operation spanned from Tempe, Arizona to Indianapolis.
Investigators seized 42 pounds of methamphetamine, 35 kilograms of heroin and cocaine, 25 guns and $4.5 million in cash.
“That’s 100,000 doses of heroin. That’s one dose of heroin for every eight individuals in the city of Indianapolis– that’s how much heroin has been taken off the streets in the investigation,” said Minkler.
Court documents say extensive surveillance was conducted at a the “Venue Mega Mall Flea Market.” The store, 5110 W. Pike Place Plaza, is believed to be part of the drug operation. Authorities say a legitimate business was operated out of the location, but it was also used for illegal activities.
Geraldo Colon, 46, Darrell Fuqua, 39, Agustin Osuna-Toquillas, 26, and Marco AntonioBueno-Acosta, 24, are all charged with conspiracy to distribute heroin and cocaine.
The investigation was led by United States Attorney Josh J. Minkler, Marion County Prosecutor Terry Curry, IMPD Chief Rick Hite, and agents from the IRS and Homeland Security.
“If you are selling heroin for money, and I will call it what it is, blood money. The message is simple, we will find you and investigate you and hit you as hard as we can with the federal hammer,said Minkler.
“Drug dealing has proven fatal too many times recently in Indianapolis,” said Minkler. “Our top commitment remains doing everything possible to keep our neighborhoods safe and we will use all laws at our disposal to make that happen. Dismantling armed drug trafficking organizations is a critical component to our priority of reducing violent crime in Indianapolis.”
This bust is yet another high profile bust that IMPD has helped dismantle.
Robin Parsons, Director of Adult Services for Fairbanks Addiction Treatment Center in Indianapolis followed the bust. She applauds the arrests and the take down of this drug operation.
“The lives that are probably being saved by this, who knows how many, but this is a great progress and great achievement,” Parsons said. “It is a very very difficult battle that we’re in right now because the supply is coming in and large amounts as indicated.”
