FORT SMITH — Federal prosecutors say 13 people have been indicted for purportedly taking part in a methamphetamine smuggling ring based out of northwest Arkansas.
U.S. Attorney Bob Balfe says the indictments come as part of a joint investigation by federal, state and local police. Balfe says agents served four federal search warrants and seized about 15 pounds of methamphetamine. He says U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement has identified six of the indicted as illegal immigrants.
Balfe says those indicted in the ring include:
-Jose M. Alvarado, 30, of Joplin, Mo.;
-Saul Alvarez-Sifuentes, 31, of Lowell;
-Adrian Avelar, 34, of Los Angeles;
-Juan Carrillo, 45, of Gentry;
-Lucia Carrillo, 44, of Gentry;
-Adan Casarez, 33, of Monnett, Mo.;
-Efrain Estrada-Gomez, 33, of Springdale;
-Leonardo Gonzalez, 29, of Monett, Mo.;
-Carlos Quiroz, 20, of Springdale;
-Jaime Valencia del Monte, 29, of Moreno Valley, Calif;
-Luis Yanez-Martinez, 30, of Springdale;
-Victor Zepeda, 49, of Arkansas City, Kan.;
-German Zepeda, 25, of Arkansas City, Kan.