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Tennessee Prison Gang Leader Charged in $160,000 Fentanyl Trafficking Ring
A federal indictment unsealed on March 30, 2021, charged 27 individuals with federal crimes related to a large-scale conspiracy to distribute heroin, methamphetamine, fentanyl, and cocaine in the Middle District of Tennessee.
The conspiracy, which has been ongoing since as early as 2018, was orchestrated from within the Tennessee State Prison system by Humberto Morales, aka Pelon, 29, of Columbia, Tennessee. Morales has been incarcerated since 2014. Other charges resulting from this investigation include kidnapping, money laundering, making threats by electronic communication, and firearms violations.
The Tennessee Department of Correction (TDOC) previously sought the assistance of federal law enforcement to address criminal activity occurring within the prison system.
The resulting indictments and other court documents allege that the organization had ties to MS-13, Sur-13, and other street gangs and distributed tens of thousands of fentanyl-laced pills; multiple kilograms of fentanyl and heroin; over fifty pounds of methamphetamine, which was often 95-99 percent pure (commonly referred to as “ice”); as well as smaller quantities of cocaine and marijuana.
Court documents also allege that this well-orchestrated conspiracy is linked to at least one murder, horrific assaults, and multiple other crimes of violence.
As a result of this investigation, law enforcement seized more than $160,000 in cash drug proceeds and multiple firearms, including a handgun which had been illegally modified to operate as a machinegun, and an operational firearm silencer.
Defendant: Humberto Morales, aka Pelon, 29, of Columbia, Tennessee.
Criminal Charges: Federal indictment for conspiracy to distribute heroin, methamphetamine, fentanyl, and cocaine, as well as related charges including kidnapping, money laundering, making threats by electronic communication, and firearms violations.
City and State: Nashville, Tennessee.
Exact Date: March 30, 2021.
Sentence or Outcome: Currently in federal custody awaiting trial.
Dollar Amounts: $160,000 in cash drug proceeds seized during the investigation.
Key Facts
- State: Tennessee
- Category: Drug Trafficking|Organized Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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