A federal grand jury has indicted 15 individuals in a sweeping 29-count indictment that exposes a gang-led drug trafficking operation in Houston using unconventional distribution methods, including a taco truck and the U.S. postal service.
The indictment was unsealed on May 22 after the arrest of nine suspects. The investigation was led by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Houston and the Houston Police Department, with support from the FBI, ATF, and the Texas Board of Criminal Justice.
Related posts
The defendants include:
-
James Michael Brewer a.k.a. “Creeper,” 33
-
Jonathan Alvarado a.k.a. “Joker,” 28
-
Alexis Delgado a.k.a. “Chino,” 28
-
Hector Luis Lopez a.k.a. “Capulito,” 23
-
Kylie Rae Alvarado, 24
-
Ruby Mata, 31
-
Victor Norris Ellison, 35
-
Mexi Dyan Garcia a.k.a. “Mexi,” 31
-
Jesus Gomez-Rodriguez a.k.a. “Jr.,” 33
Three others — Enzo Xavier Dominguez (“Smiley”), William Alexander Lazo (“Miclo”), and Alfredo Gomez (“Fredo”) — are currently in custody and awaiting court appearances.
Warrants are outstanding for three fugitives:
-
Jose Francisco Garcia-Martinez (“Paco”), 29 (Mexican national)
-
Marcos Rene Simaj-Guch (“Taco Man”), 41 (Guatemalan national)
-
Jose Eduardo Morales (“Primo”), 22
According to the Justice Department, the alleged drug trafficking network imported methamphetamine directly from Mexico and operated out of homes in various Houston neighborhoods. The gang also used the U.S. mail and a taco truck as cover for transporting and distributing narcotics.
The suspects are accused of trafficking a range of controlled substances, including methamphetamine, crack and powder cocaine, heroin, oxycodone, Xanax, psilocybin mushrooms, and marijuana. Authorities reported seizing 29 kilograms of meth in one incident in June 2023.
Several defendants face additional firearms charges, with some accused of illegal gun possession due to prior felony convictions. Convictions could lead to life sentences for most defendants, while Simaj-Guch faces up to 40 years. Those with firearms offenses could receive an additional 15 years.
“This organization brazenly flooded our communities with deadly narcotics,” said HSI Houston Special Agent in Charge Chad Plantz. “Dismantling their network is a major step toward reducing violent crime and drug addiction in the area.”
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Francisco Rodriguez and Trial Attorneys Ralph Paradiso and Amanda Kotula of the DOJ’s Violent Crime and Racketeering Section.
