KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Twenty-six defendants were indicted by a federal grand jury in two separate but related cases involving one of the largest cocaine trafficking rings in the Kansas City area. Investigators from multiple agencies discovered evidence of a drug-trafficking organization that was smuggling hundreds of kilograms of cocaine worth millions of dollars from Mexico to distribute in Kansas City, Mo. The investigation is known as Operation Blockbuster. “Operation Blockbuster is an ongoing investigation into what is alleged to be a significant drug-trafficking organization,” Matt J. Whitworth, Acting U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Missouri, stated in a news release Friday. The indictments allege drug-trafficking conspiracies in operation since January 2007. The cocaine was smuggled from Mexico and distributed in Kansas City. Conspirators would then collect the proceeds of their narcotics sales and package the money for shipment back to Mexico to pay off drug debts and to purchase more cocaine.
Charges in 1st Case
Alejandro S. Corredor, also known as “Lou Lou,” “Rolo,” and “Alex,” 34, a citizen of Colombia residing in Kansas City, Mo., and his wife, Cindi M. Corredor, 28, a U.S. citizen, Vincent E. Charles, also known as “Zeno” or “Z,” 40, Adrian Dunn, also known as “A.D.,” 35, Roy D. Murray, also known as “Wonderbread,” 35, Danny R. Moore, 52, Cheo D. Miles, 36, Dennis Westbrook, also known as “Westcrook,” 30, Daoud L. Homes, also known as “Bootsie,” 30, Nicholas L. Lathen, also known as “Sleeze,” 23, and Sean Charles, also known as “Slim,” 25, all of Kansas City, Mo., Terrance M. Harris, also known as “T-Nutty,” 23, of Independence, Mo., Kendall L. Howard, 30, of Kansas City, Kan., and Delondo Bellamy, also known as “Lando,” 43, of Oakland, Calif., were charged in a single-count indictment with participating in a conspiracy to distribute cocaine and marijuana.
Charges in 2nd Case
Martin Gaspar Castaneda-Morales, also known as “Flaco,” 35, of Juarez, Mexico, Arturo Gonzalez-Gonzalez, also known as “Chango,” 38, and Rafael Carranza-Vejar, 36, both citizens of Mexico residing in Kansas City, Mo., Carlos I. Portillo, 34, a citizen of Mexico residing in Kansas City, Kan., Juan Rodriguez-Gonzalez, 37, Joel Guevara, also known as “Bebe” or “Raul,” 28, Cesar Perez-Rodriguez, 44, Jose Carron, 29, and Rene, also known as “Tio” (age and last name unknown), all citizens of Mexico whose addresses are unknown, Fernando Loya, 50, address unknown, and Charlie (last name, age and address unknown), were charged in a six-count indictment with participating in a conspiracy to distribute cocaine and marijuana. The indictment also charges R odriguez-Gonzalez, Gonzalez-Gonzalez, Carranza-Vejar, Carreon and Loya with illegally entering the United States.
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