FARGO, ND – Joel Alejandro Quinonez, 34, of Puebla, Mexico, is headed to federal prison for 15 years after being convicted on multiple federal charges related to a methamphetamine trafficking operation in North Dakota. The sentencing, handed down by Chief Judge Peter D. Welte, marks a significant blow to the “Tango Blast” gang’s reach into the state.
Quinonez wasn’t just moving drugs; he was armed and dangerous. He was found guilty of Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine, Possession of Firearms in Furtherance of a Drug Trafficking Crime, Possession of Firearms by a Convicted Felon, and Reentry of Removed Alien Subsequent to a Felony Conviction. The feds didn’t just catch him with the drugs, they caught him flaunting the tools of his trade.
The investigation revealed a brazen disregard for the law. Deported back to Mexico in April 2021, Quinonez illegally re-entered the U.S. and quickly set up shop in Fargo, operating out of local hotel rooms during the summer of 2021. By November, the operation was in full swing. A January 20, 2022 raid on a hotel room rented by accomplice Jamie Lynn Garcia uncovered the extent of the operation: approximately two pounds of methamphetamine, three firearms, and a cool $6,121 in cash.
Garcia, already facing her own consequences, received a 93-month federal prison sentence in September 2022 for her role in the conspiracy. She wasn’t a kingpin, but she enabled Quinonez’s criminal activity. This case highlights the interconnectedness of these operations and the willingness of individuals to participate for profit, regardless of the damage inflicted on communities.
The bust was a collaborative effort, involving the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), the North Dakota Bureau of Criminal Investigation, and police departments from Moorhead, MN, Fargo, and West Fargo. Assistant U.S. Attorney Chris Myers led the prosecution, ensuring that Quinonez faced the full weight of the law.
Quinonez will also serve four years of supervised release after completing his 15-year sentence. While this conviction removes a dangerous player from the streets, it’s a reminder that the flow of illegal drugs and associated violence continues. The ATF and its partners must remain vigilant in disrupting these networks and protecting North Dakota communities. The “Tango Blast” gang, originating in Texas, continues to pose a threat, and this case is just one piece of a larger, ongoing battle.
Related Federal Cases
Key Facts
- Agency: ATF
- Category: Drug Trafficking|Organized Crime|Weapons
- Source: Official Press Release
Get the grimiest stories delivered weekly. Subscribe free
Browse More
