24 Charged in Amtrak Heroin-Cocaine Ring

Twenty-four defendants are facing federal drug charges for allegedly running a cross-country heroin and cocaine pipeline from Los Angeles to Chicago via Amtrak trains, authorities revealed today. At the center of the scheme: wholesale quantities of narcotics smuggled in automobile parts and pool filters, moved through Amtrak Express service, and distributed across Chicago neighborhoods—all while one insider, an Amtrak employee, allegedly stole a package of cocaine upon arrival at Union Station.

The charges stem from Operation Derailed, a multi-year federal investigation that dismantled the trafficking network. During the probe and related enforcement actions, law enforcement seized more than 60 kilograms of cocaine, over 30 kilograms of heroin, one kilogram of fentanyl, five handguns, two rifles, and $1.8 million in cash. Prosecutors are also seeking forfeiture of approximately $9.3 million in suspected drug profits, signaling a broad financial takedown alongside the arrests.

According to indictments unsealed in U.S.A. v. Roque et al, 15 CR 485, the drugs originated with traffickers in Mexico and southern California. From Los Angeles, the narcotics were shipped aboard Amtrak trains to Chicago’s Union Station, where they were retrieved and sold across the region. Some of the proceeds were allegedly laundered back to southern California, fueling the cycle of distribution. Among those charged are EDGAR ROQUE, 30, of Paramount, Calif.; RICHARD ROQUE, 32, of Paramount, Calif.; ANGELICA CERVANTES, 31, of Chicago; JUAN J. CERVANTES, 30, of Chicago; IVAN DIAZ, 26, of Downey, Calif.; PHILLIP DIAZ, 26, of Paramount, Calif.; MARTELL JACKSON, 33, of Chicago; ANTHONY KOON, 55, of Pueblo, Colo.; JOSÉ ANTONIO MIRELES, JR., 31, of Paramount, Calif.; JORGE LUIS OCHOA-CANELA, 36, of Paramount, Calif.; OMAR RAMIREZ, 24, of Compton, Calif.; and GERARDO SANCHEZ, 23, of Los Angeles, Calif. A 13th defendant, JESUS VALENCIA, 34, of C, was also charged in the case.

The arrests mark a rare breach of trust within the national rail system. The involvement of an Amtrak employee—whose identity has not yet been disclosed—raises serious security concerns about the use of public transportation infrastructure for criminal enterprise. The theft of a cocaine shipment upon arrival at Union Station underscores the brazenness of the operation, exposing vulnerabilities in intermodal transit security.

U.S. Attorney Zachary T. Fardon, DEA Special Agent in Charge Dennis A. Wichern, and IRS Criminal Investigation Special Agent in Charge James D. Robnett jointly announced the charges. The Amtrak Inspector General’s Office and Amtrak Police Department provided critical support. The investigation was conducted under the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF), which targets high-level trafficking organizations through coordinated federal, state, and local action.

“Our Office is working harder than ever with the DEA and other federal, state and local law enforcement partners to stop the flow of dangerous narcotics and opioids into Chicago,” said Fardon. Wichern added, “Too many families are forever scarred by heroin.” Robnett emphasized the financial angle: “When IRS Criminal Investigation gets involved, the drug dealer’s profits get derailed.” Arraignments have not yet been scheduled, but the message is clear: Chicago’s underground rail pipeline for poison has been severed—at least for now.

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