Rogelio Santacruz Godinez, Cocaine Trafficking, West Virginia 2024

MS-13 Gang Members Charged with Cocaine Trafficking in West Virginia

A two-year investigation into a multi-state drug trafficking operation has resulted in the indictment of ten individuals, including two confirmed MS-13 gang members. The investigation, which spanned multiple states, involved the cooperative efforts of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies.

Authorities in West Virginia and Virginia searched more than a dozen properties, seizing 12.5 kilos of cocaine with an estimated street value of more than $300,000, eleven firearms, hundreds of rounds of ammunition, and more than $100,000 in cash.

The indicted individuals, who include Rogelio Santacruz Godinez, Jose Alfredo Santacruz Godinez, Guadalupe Ibarra-Ayon, Eduardo Hernandez Sanchez, Jose Santiago Cruz-Delcid, Miguel Angel Cruz-Polanco, Adam Gunn, Adam Bensaid, Rogelio Martinez-Rojas, and Kenneth Biermann-Ruz, are accused of various federal charges related to drug distribution.

U.S. Attorney Bill Powell praised the cooperative effort of law enforcement agencies, stating, ‘This investigation lasted nearly two years and involved the cooperative efforts of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies. When those efforts were combined with the work of our Assistant U.S. Attorneys the stage was set for results, including the indictments that have now been returned by the Grand Jury.’

Powell also warned MS-13 gang members to stay out of West Virginia, stating, ‘If you are MS-13, do not come here. We know what you stand for, we will find you, and we will prosecute you for violations of the law.’

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Shawn M. Adkins and Lara K. Omps-Botteicher are prosecuting the cases on behalf of the government. The U.S. Attorney’s Office of the Western District of Virginia assisted.

The investigation is led by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Homeland Security Investigations, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the United States Marshals Service, the Eastern Panhandle Drug & Violent Crimes Task Force, the Potomac Highlands Drug & Violent Crimes Task Force, the Northwest Virginia Regional Drug & Gang Task Force, the West Virginia State Police, the Virginia State Police, and the Berkeley County Sheriff’s Office.

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