Fifteen Indicted in Coast-to-Coast Drug Ring

ST. LOUIS, MO – Fifteen individuals are facing federal charges after a lengthy investigation uncovered a sprawling drug conspiracy responsible for flooding the St. Louis area with cocaine, heroin, and fentanyl. The U.S. Attorney’s Office announced today the indictment stems from a conspiracy dating back to 2018, with the accused allegedly moving significant quantities of narcotics from hubs in Houston, Texas, and Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

The operation, according to investigators, wasn’t small-time. Defendants allegedly transported multi-pound loads of drugs concealed within specially-built compartments in tractor-trailers and other vehicles. Once the contraband reached the St. Louis area, it was offloaded at a residence in Spanish Lake, Missouri, and dispersed throughout the city and county. The dirty money, investigators say, flowed right back out of state. Proceeds from drug sales were collected by key distributors, loaded into the same transport vehicles, and driven back to Texas and other locations to pay off suppliers. It’s a classic coast-to-coast pipeline of poison.

The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and the U.S. Attorney’s Office initiated the investigation in March 2018. The 15-month probe culminated in the seizure of over 50 pounds of cocaine, more than 25 pounds of heroin and fentanyl, and a staggering $2,000,000.00 in cash and assets derived from the illegal drug trade. DEA St. Louis Division Special Agent in Charge Bill Callahan minced no words, stating the organization “preyed upon our neighbors who suffer from the disease of addiction.”

Those indicted include: Guy R. Goolsby, 39, of St. Louis, Missouri; Grant A. Berry, 41, of St. Louis, Missouri; David M. Foston, 47, of St. Louis, Missouri; Kennerson L. Gooden, 50 of Houston, Texas; David M. Martinez, 47, of Fort Lauderdale, Florida; Chivas Holmes, 42, of St. Louis Missouri; Antonio T. Boyd, 52, of St. Louis, Missouri; Jonathan W. Jefferson, 57 of Houston, Texas; Harold Arceneaux, 43, of Atlanta, Georgia; Otis B. Dodd, 67, of Houston, Texas; David Lee Trevino, 46, of San Antonio, Texas; Carlos Macias, 40, of Fort Lauderdale, Florida; Lina Katiuzca Macias, 43, of Fort Lauderdale, Florida; Jorge A. Lopez-Duran, 41, of Fort Lauderdale, Florida; and Shannon L. Holmes, 52, of St. Louis, Missouri.

All fifteen defendants are currently facing charges of conspiracy to distribute narcotics. It’s important to remember that these are accusations at this stage. Each defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. The DEA investigation received assistance from multiple agencies including the U.S. Marshal’s Service, the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department, the St. Charles County Police Department, and the Phelps County Sherriff’s Office.

Assistant United States Attorney John Mantovani, of the Organized Crime and Drug Enforcement Task Force, is leading the prosecution. This case underscores the relentless flow of illicit drugs into the Midwest and the ongoing battle law enforcement faces in disrupting these deadly networks. Grimy Times will continue to follow this case as it unfolds and provide updates on the proceedings.