Buffum Meinecke Boys, Heroin and Cocaine Trafficking, Wisconsin 2020

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24 Milwaukee Residents Charged with Heroin and Cocaine Trafficking and Firearms Offenses

A joint law enforcement action has resulted in federal charges against 24 defendants associated with a violent drug trafficking organization in Milwaukee known as the Buffum Meinecke Boys.

The defendants charged in this law enforcement action all reside in Milwaukee and are: Ramone LOCKE, 33; Jesus PUENTES, 33; Michael SMITH, 37; Victor GONZALEZ, 34; Garrell HUGHES, 33; Lamar JOHNSON, 32; Rico SMITH, 29; Michael WILSON, 34; Amir LOCKE, 34; Joey VAZQUEZ, 34; Coury AGEE, 33; Louis BATES, 31; Tyrone BRYANT, 28; Dennis KING, 35; Derrell TAYLOR, 31; Luis LORENZO, 34; Nicholas WELDON, 29; Deon BUTTS, 38; Maureno BRIGGS, 29; Dawan TURNER, 18; Jasmaine LINTON, 38; Alfonso GREER, 20; and Juiquin PINKARD, 35, and Charles MCCOLLUM, 32.

A federal grand jury returned an indictment charging 15 of the defendants with conspiring to distribute 1 kilogram or more of heroin, at least five kilograms or more of powder cocaine, at least 280 grams or more of ‘crack’ cocaine, and greater than 50 kilograms of marijuana. If convicted of this conspiracy charge, those 15 defendants face a mandatory minimum term of 10 years in prison. One of the co-conspirators, Victor Gonzalez, was also charged with unlawful possession of 37 firearms. Nine other defendants were charged with distribution of heroin or cocaine or illegally possessing firearms.

On February 25, 2020, federal, state, and local law enforcement officers arrested 17 of these defendants in a coordinated enforcement operation. Throughout the course of the investigation, officers recovered over 900 grams of heroin, over 150 grams of a mixture containing fentanyl, 1.5 kilograms of cocaine, 20 kilograms of marijuana, almost $300,000 in U.S. currency, and 53 firearms.

“Every Milwaukee resident deserves to live in a secure neighborhood, free from groups who wield guns and pedal dangerous drugs,” said United States Attorney Matthew D. Krueger. “This joint law enforcement action is another example of our unwavering commitment to fight gun violence and drug trafficking. I commend the excellent law enforcement cooperation, led by the FBI, to build this case.”

FBI Special Agent in Charge Robert E. Hughes stated “The FBI, with its partners, stand committed to reducing the negative impact of gangs responsible for gun violence, illegal drugs and homicides. Working together, we are dedicated to making Milwaukee a safe place to live, work, and enjoy all our city has to offer.”

The defendants were charged based on joint investigation by law enforcement officers from the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Southeastern Wisconsin Gang Task Force, the Milwaukee Police Department (MPD), the Milwaukee County Sheriff’s Office, the IRS-Criminal Investigations, and the Drug Enforcement Administration. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Laura S. Kwaterski and Kevin C. Knight.”