GRAND RAPIDS, MICHIGAN – July 26, 2023
U.S. Attorney Timothy VerHey announced today that Adrian Weyman-Urbina, a 37-year-old Mexican national from Ensenada, Mexico, has been extradited to the United States to face drug trafficking charges. The charges stem from a conspiracy involving current and former inmates of the Michigan Department of Corrections (MDOC) obtaining methamphetamine and heroin from Mexico and distributing the drugs in West Michigan and elsewhere.
The conspiracy spanned eleven counties in Michigan, including Alger, Luce, Allegan, Berrien, Branch, Grand Traverse, Ingham, Kent, Muskegon, Ottawa, and Van Buren Counties. The investigation was a result of a nationwide initiative, Operation Take Back America, which aims to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect communities from perpetrators of violent crime.
Weyman-Urbina is accused of setting up a drug distribution network while in the United States illegally and continuing to harm citizens after his return to Mexico. U.S. Attorney VerHey stated, "My office went the extra mile to extradite Weyman-Urbina out of Mexico because he set up his drug distribution network while he was in our country illegally, then continued to harm our citizens after he was returned to Mexico. Let this be a message that wherever you are in the world, if you are responsible for the distribution of drugs in the Western District of Michigan, we will find you, arrest you, and bring you to justice in an American courtroom."
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Vito S. Solitro. The charges in the indictment are merely accusations and are not evidence of guilt. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law. The government has the burden of proving guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
The investigation was conducted by the Drug Enforcement Administration, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Michigan Department of Corrections, the Grand Traverse County Sheriff’s Office, and the Michigan State Police and its sponsored drug trafficking task forces, including the West Michigan Enforcement Team, the Southwest Enforcement Team, and the Traverse Narcotics Team.
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Key Facts
- State: Michigan
- Category: Drug Trafficking|Violent Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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