Toledo Heroin Network Crumbles: 26 Indicted in Drug Ring

TOLEDO, OH – A sprawling drug trafficking network flooding Toledo with heroin, cocaine, and marijuana has been taken down, with a 55-count federal indictment unsealed today naming 26 individuals. The indictment alleges a conspiracy spanning from 2010 to the present, funneling narcotics into the city from Arizona, California, Illinois, and Mexico.

U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Ohio, Steven M. Dettelbach, laid bare the scope of the operation at a press conference. “Heroin abuse is an epidemic in our community that takes lives and destroys families,” Dettelbach stated. “We will continue to target drug traffickers while also working to reduce demand and get treatment for those who need it.” Federal officials alongside Stephen D. Anthony, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Cleveland office, Toledo Police Chief William Moton, and Lucas County Sheriff John Tharp, announced the takedown.

The alleged kingpin, Alejandro Garcia, 44, is accused of sourcing the drugs from out-of-state and Mexican suppliers, then distributing them to a network of mid-level dealers within Toledo. The indictment details a web of transactions occurring at numerous locations across the city, including Ravine Park Village, Graham Street, Berry Street, North Ontario Street, Bronson Street, Sylvania Avenue, Westfield Park Mall, Main Street, Starr Avenue, and Heatherdowns Road. Chief Moton emphasized the collaborative effort that brought the operation to light: “Through the working relationship that has been developed between the Toledo Police Metro Drug Task Force and the Federal Bureau of Investigation we have become more efficient in targeting the mid- and upper-level heroin dealers in Toledo and surrounding communities.”

Those indicted include: Alejandro Garcia, 44; Regina Navarro, 36; Osvaldo Perez, 60; Sean Machaterre, 31; Dicki Isom, 33; Federico Perez, 25; Daryl Mickles, Jr., 31; Keith Hubbell, 30; David Berrera, Jr., 40; Santos Flores, 34, of Oregon, Ohio; Juan Montano, 35; Daniel Montano, 26; Yousvani Gacita, 34; Davi Mata, 32; Willie Edward Smith, 38; Juan Rivera, 34; Paulo Gonzalez, 27; Abdul Shabazz, 39; Davalon Brown, 28; James Munoz, 37; Victoria Santellana, 31; Daniel Barboza, 38; Anthony Rudess, 42, of Curtice, Ohio; Eric Mays-Clausen, 41; Randolph Kemp, 53, and Jacqueline Jaquez, 40.

Beyond the drug charges, Garcia, Kemp, and Isom face additional charges for being felons in possession of firearms. Prosecutors are aggressively pursuing forfeiture of assets tied to the operation, including more than $6,800 in cash, six firearms, nine automobiles, and properties located at 1509 Navarre Avenue and 625 Parker Avenue in Toledo. The FBI’s Anthony warned, “This is another example of the international drug trafficking connections that are plaguing our communities with danger and heroin. The FBI will continue collaborative law enforcement efforts to combat these violent organizations.”

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Thomas P. Weldon and Michael Freeman are prosecuting the case. While the indictment represents a significant blow to the drug trade in Toledo, authorities caution that it is merely a charge, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty. Sentencing, if convicted, will be determined by the court based on federal guidelines and individual circumstances, including prior criminal history and the extent of each defendant’s involvement.