Devin Hartzell, Heroin Trafficking, Oklahoma 2023
TULSA, Okla. – Devin Hartzell, 25, of Catoosa, Oklahoma, pleaded guilty to drug conspiracy on January 15, 2023, in his role in a heroin trafficking operation with ties to Mexico’s New Generation Cartel.
According to the indictment, Hartzell conspired with others to possess with intent to distribute and to distribute heroin beginning in January 2018 and continuing until June 2019. He admitted to purchasing up to one kilogram of heroin multiple times a week from Jose Garcia and Edson Garcia-Velasquez and redistributing it to third parties.
Hartzell's plea agreement stated that he conspired with others to possess with intent to distribute and to distribute heroin. He admitted to purchasing heroin and redistributing it to third parties, who would then sell it to others.
U.S. Attorney Trent Shores announced the indictment in May 2019, stating that the heroin in this case was trafficked from Mexico to Oklahoma by a criminal organization with no respect for our laws or borders. Shores also thanked the Drug Enforcement Administration, Homeland Security Investigations, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Joel-lyn McCormick for their efforts in the investigation.
The investigation, named Operation Smack Dragon, led to the indictment of 29 individuals, including Hartzell and Marquis Adams. Adams pleaded guilty to drug conspiracy on January 29, 2023, admitting that he purchased 3.5 grams of heroin roughly every day from Hartzell and redistributed it to third parties.
According to the indictment, the alleged transnational criminal organization had a clearly defined hierarchy, with leaders from Mexico supplying heroin to the Tulsa “cell heads.” The cell heads were originally from Mexico but lived in Tulsa, and they were responsible for distributing the heroin to mid-level distributors and street-level dealers.
Hartzell's plea agreement does not specify a sentence, but he faces up to 20 years in prison for his role in the heroin trafficking operation.
Key Facts
- State: Oklahoma
- Category: Drug Trafficking|Organized Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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