Heroin Trafficking Ring Busted in Birmingham

Birmingham, AL – In a major crackdown, a federal grand jury has indicted nine people for their involvement in an illegal drug ring that trafficked heroin, fentanyl, and cocaine in Jefferson County. U.S. Attorney Joyce White Vance and Drug Enforcement Administration Special Agent in Charge Stephen G. Azzam announced the indictment.

The 57-count indictment charges Anthony Levy Ward, 35, of Chelsea, with conspiracy to distribute heroin, fentanyl, and cocaine between September 2015 and October 2016. Ward, his father Anthony Levy Alexander, 56, and his aunt Betty Levy Alexander, 50, are charged with conspiring to traffic 1,000 grams or more of heroin, which carries a minimum 10-year prison sentence and a maximum life sentence. Ward, having previously been convicted in state and federal court for drug trafficking, could face a minimum of 20 years and a maximum of life in prison if convicted on the current charges.

The indictment also charges Ferlando Carmise Mims, 19, with two counts of distributing fentanyl in September 2015, and a third count of possessing fentanyl with the intent to distribute it, along with Onandras Carmece Beard, 19, in April 2016. Mims also faces five counts of possessing with the intent to distribute or distributing heroin between December 2015 and August 2016. Beard faces a separate count of distributing heroin in October 2015.

Corey Darnelle Haynes, 36, faces two counts of possessing with the intent to distribute or distributing heroin, one in November 2015 and one in June 2016. Jesus Ubaldo Montoya, 22, and Marahai Ardizo Enriquez, 24, are charged with possessing with the intent to distribute at least five kilograms, or more than 11 pounds, of cocaine between August 9, 2016, and August 11, 2016.

Jose Agustin Gutierrez, 31, and Jesus Ubaldo Montoya, 22, face charges of conspiring to traffic five kilograms or more of cocaine, which carries a maximum sentence of life in prison and a $10 million fine. The indictment also seeks a $1.7 million monetary judgment against the defendants as proceeds of illegal activity.

Betty Alexander was taken into federal custody, and the indictment was unsealed today. U.S. Attorney Joyce White Vance and Drug Enforcement Administration Special Agent in Charge Stephen G. Azzam praised the efforts of law enforcement in bringing these individuals to justice.

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