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Attorney General Mike DeWine
Task Force Seizes 200
Pounds of Marijuana, Three Arrested
(DAYTON, Ohio)—Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine, Montgomery County
Sheriff Phil Plummer, U.S. Department of Homeland Security
Investigations Special Agent in Charge Steve Francis, and members of
the Miami Valley Bulk Smuggling Task Force announced today the seizure
of approximately 200 pounds of marijuana as part of an ongoing drug
trafficking investigation.
Investigators with the Miami Valley Bulk Smuggling Task Force, which is
part of the Ohio Attorney General's Ohio Organized Crime Investigations
Commission, arrested Ana Hernandez, 35, Fernando Rivero-Hernandez, 31,
and Alfonso Flores-Teran, 43, on drug charges related to the
investigation. The suspects are not United States citizens.
Following a short-term investigation, task force members conducted a
traffic stop on an unknown male driver and his passenger, identified as
Ana Hernandez. Investigators said they found approximately 200
pounds of marijuana in the vehicle. Hernandez was arrested, and
the male fled the scene of the traffic stop and has not yet been
apprehended.
A simultaneous traffic stop conducted as part of the same investigation
led to the arrests of Rivero-Hernandez and Flores-Teran. Investigators
said at least one of the suspects attempted to discard crystal
methamphetamine from the vehicle before stopping.
"Law enforcement in this state will continue to aggressively pursue
those bringing drugs into our neighborhoods, and this case is just one
more example of that fact," said Attorney General DeWine.
“We take complaints about drug activity and drug dealers very seriously
and will conduct investigations to ensure those who make a living
selling drugs are put behind bars,” said Sheriff Phil Plummer. “The
Miami Valley Bulk Smuggling Task Force did an outstanding job—our
community is safer as a result.”
“The significant quantity of illegal drugs seized and arrests made in
this case further demonstrates why this task force stands as one of the
best examples of the effectiveness of multi-agency partnerships,” said
Steve Francis, special agent in charge of HSI Detroit, which covers
Michigan and Ohio. “This case is also an important reminder about the
crucial role federal and local collaboration plays in combatting this
public safety threat and ensuring that those responsible are brought to
justice."
The three suspects have been federally charged by the U.S. Attorney's
Office for the Southern District of Ohio. The defendants appeared
in court today and were charged with conspiracy to possess with intent
to distribute in excess of 50 kilograms of marijuana.
The Miami Valley Bulk Smuggling Task Force is led by the Montgomery
County Sheriff's Office and includes representatives from the Ohio
State Highway Patrol, Miami Township Police Department, Butler Township
Police Department, Montgomery County RANGE Task Force, Ohio Bureau of
Criminal Investigation, Homeland Security Investigations, Drug
Enforcement Administration and Montgomery County Prosecutor's Office.
Those with tips on illegal drug activity in the Miami Valley can
contact the Miami Valley Bulk Smuggling Task Force at 937-225-6272.
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