DEA Makes 8 Arrests In Connection To Local Drug Trafficking Organization
EL PASO — Agents with the Drug Enforcement (DEA) Administration executed two search warrants and arrested eight individuals in connection to the Rodrigo Eckenroth drug-trafficking organization, according to DEA Special Agent in Charge Joseph M. Arabait.
On April 22, 2009 a Federal Grand Jury charged Rodrigo Rodney Eckenroth, Luis Rivera, Jorge Rivera, Josefina Ornelas-Murguia, Liliana Ornelas-Rodriguez, Mario Alberto Munoz Jr., Uriel Herrera-Gallegos and Joel Osvaldo Ramirez-Numez in a 17-count indictment.
All suspects are charged with numerous drug trafficking and money laundering violations. Eckenroth was also indicted on a Title 26 charge of Attempting to Evade and Defeat Tax. Arabit said more arrests are anticipated in connection to the investigation.
According to Arabit, the investigationinto the Eckenrothorganization was initiated by a multi-agency task headed by the DEA.
Eckenroth’s organization was responsible for the distribution of approximately 25,000 pounds of marijuana a year throughout the United States during 2007 and 2008, Arabit said. As a result of the investigation, severalwarehouses and residences in the El Paso area were identified as storage and distribution havens for Eckenroth’sorganization, Arabit added.
The Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation Unitalso seized several bank accounts that were allegedly utilized to hide assets and launder drug proceeds, Arabit added.Also seized were 24 vehicles, three residences, two commercial properties, several tons of marijuana and $334,000.
An indictment is a formal accusation of criminal conduct, not evidence of guilt. The defendants are presumed innocent until convicted by law.
