Heroin Trafficking Ring Dismantled in Oklahoma
Twenty-nine members and coconspirators of a drug trafficking organization with ties to Mexico’s New Generation Cartel have been indicted for their alleged roles in a continuing criminal enterprise, conspiring to possess and distribute heroin, money laundering and other related charges.
The charges were announced Tuesday at a press conference in Tulsa, Oklahoma by U.S. Attorney Trent Shores; Resident Agent in Charge David King of the Drug Enforcement Administration’s Tulsa Office; Resident Agent in Charge Robert Melton of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations’ Tulsa Office; Senior Deputy Oklahoma Attorney General Joy Thorpe; and Deputy Chief Dennis Larsen of the Tulsa Police Department.
“Operation Smack Dragon targeted a transnational heroin distribution organization based out of Mexico and operating in Tulsa. With this Indictment, we hope to disrupt and dismantle this organization’s operations in Tulsa and elsewhere,” said U.S. Attorney Shores. “The 29 defendants charged today are only a start to our multi-state and multi-agency takedown. The investigation continues thanks to the tireless and dedicated efforts of the men and women of law enforcement.”
The indictment alleges that the Giovanni Drug Trafficking Organization began a heroin distribution network run out of Mexico, with operations led from Tulsa, as early as November 2017. The alleged organization imported, processed, and distributed approximately two kilograms of heroin per week throughout the Northern District of Oklahoma and elsewhere, using multiple levels of distribution to get the drug into the hands of users.
According to the Indictment, the alleged transnational criminal organization’s hierarchy had clearly defined roles, as leaders from Mexico supplied heroin to the Tulsa “cell heads.” These “cell heads” were originally from Mexico but lived in Tulsa. Stille Giovanni Gutierrez Vivanco, allegedly directed, from Mexico, the overall drug trafficking operations in Tulsa by delegating responsibilities for the import and distribution of the heroin and for the movement of the proceeds from heroin sales. The indictment alleges that the conspirators laundered the proceeds from heroin sales using money remitter businesses in Tulsa and wire transfers to Mexico.
The indictment alleges that a select group of redistributors were the only group that would contact the “cell heads” in Tulsa directly. The “cell heads” in Tulsa included a person responsible for driving drugs up from Mexico, a person responsible for distributing drugs to the top level of distributors, and a person in charge of getting the organization’s money funneled back to Mexico. Other defendants include José Garcia, 36, of Tulsa, and Edson Garcia-Velasquez, 25, of Tulsa. The defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Defendants:
- Stille Giovanni Gutierrez Vivanco, 34
- José Garcia, 36
- Edson Garcia-Velasquez, 25
- Norman Fabian Huerta Avalos, 36
Charges: Continuing criminal enterprise, conspiring to possess and distribute heroin, money laundering, and other related charges.
Date: May 9, 2019 (Indictment returned by a federal grand jury)
Current Status: Indictment unsealed on May 14, 2019
Key Facts
- State: Oklahoma
- Category: Drug Trafficking
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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