Don Jose, El Quilles Indicted for Massive Atlanta Heroin Import Scheme

ATLANTA – Rodolfo Maldonado-Bustos, a.k.a. “Don Jose,” 59, and Euclides Camacho-Goicochea, a.k.a. “El Quilles,” 51, both of Guerrero, Mexico, were slapped with federal indictments for their roles in the La Nueva Familia Michoacana drug cartel. The duo stands accused of running a massive heroin import scheme that brought poison into the streets of Atlanta and beyond.

According to court documents, Maldonado-Bustos allegedly coordinated the manufacturing of large quantities of heroin in Mexico, while Camacho-Goicochea allegedly coordinated the collection and return of drug proceeds from the United States back to Mexico. The investigation revealed that Camacho-Goicochea and other conspirators in Mexico received the heroin from Maldonado-Bustos and imported it into cities in the United States, including Atlanta, Georgia and Houston, Texas.

“These actions demonstrate that in addition to holding cartel leaders accountable for their crimes, we are working together with our partners at the Treasury Department to hit the cartels’ criminal operations where it hurts the most – their profits,” said Attorney General Merrick B. Garland. “We will continue to mobilize a whole-of-government effort to disrupt the cartels profiting from the drug trafficking and human smuggling that devastate communities and endanger our national security.”

The federal indictments, which include conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute heroin and conspiracy to import heroin into the United States, were handed down by a federal grand jury. Camacho-Goicochea was also charged with conspiracy to launder monetary instruments. The duo, both fugitives believed to be residing in Mexico, are wanted for their alleged roles in the cartel’s heroin import scheme.

As part of the investigation, agents seized over $580,000 in drug proceeds from vehicles and homes in the Atlanta area, which were ultimately destined for the cartel in Mexico. The U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Asset Control (OFAC) also announced financial sanctions against Camacho-Goicochea and Maldonado-Bustos, further crippling the cartel’s ability to operate.

“Denying drug cartels the profits earned from distributing poison in our communities is an essential tool in DEA’s efforts to combat these drug cartels,” said Robert J. Murphy, Special Agent in Charge of the DEA Atlanta Division. “DEA Atlanta will continue to attack the La Nueva Familia cartel on all fronts by arresting its members, as well as seizing their drugs and assets.”

The case against Maldonado-Bustos and Camacho-Goicochea is a prime example of the U.S. government’s commitment to disrupting and dismantling international cartels that wreak havoc on American communities. The duo’s alleged roles in the heroin import scheme have far-reaching consequences, and their indictment serves as a warning to those who think they can operate with impunity in the shadows of the law.

The Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) program, led by the Department of Justice, is a key player in the effort to dismantle the La Nueva Familia Michoacana cartel. The program brings together federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies to coordinate investigations and disrupt cartel operations.

The indictment against Maldonado-Bustos and Camacho-Goicochea is a significant victory in the ongoing battle against the La Nueva Familia Michoacana cartel. As the investigation continues, it is clear that the U.S. government will leave no stone unturned in its pursuit of justice for the victims of this heinous crime.

U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Buchanan praised the work of law enforcement agencies in bringing the duo to justice, saying, “The federal indictments in conjunction with the recent imposition of OFAC sanctions send a strong message that our office, in coordination with our law enforcement partners, will relentlessly investigate, prosecute, and defund individuals around the globe who import deadly drugs into our communities.”

The indictment against Maldonado-Bustos and Camacho-Goicochea is a stark reminder that the war on drugs is far from over. As the U.S. government continues to crack down on cartel operations, it is clear that the fight for justice will be a long and difficult one.

The case against Maldonado-Bustos and Camacho-Goicochea is ongoing, and it remains to be seen what other developments will emerge in the coming days and weeks.