NEWS RELEASE

OFFICE OF THE UNITED STATES ATTORNEY

WESTERN DISTRICT OF KANSAS

JOHN F. WOOD

FEBRUARY 5, 2008
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

43 Charged in Federal Operation Stonewalled

Government seeks more than $12 million from alleged traffickers of cocaine, crack and marijuana

Kansas City, Kansas-Forty-three people have been indicted on charges of drug trafficking in Leavenworth, Atchison, metropolitan Kansas City and Independence, Missouri.

Operation Stonewalled, a joint investigation by federal, state and local law enforcement agencies, was revealed when three indictments were unsealed Tuesday in U.S. District Court in Kansas City, Kan.

"What began in the summer of 2006 when the Leavenworth Police Department asked for assistance, grew into a major investigation of drug trafficking that crossed city, county and state lines," said U.S. Attorney Eric Melgren. "This investigation unearthed a drug trafficking network that we allege distributed more than $12 million worth of cocaine and methamphetamine on the streets in less than 2 years."

As a result of the investigation:

• 43 people were charged
• More than $335,000 in cash was seized, as well as 18 vehicles
• More than 19.5 kilograms of cocaine was seized
• 18 firearms and a bullet proof vest were seized

According to the indictments and other court records, the defendants are alleged to have:

• Participated for many months in ongoing drug trafficking conspiracies. In one indictment, 24 people are alleged to have taken part in a conspiracy that started in January 2006 and continued through November 2007. In another indictment, 19 defendants are alleged to have participated in a conspiracy that began in January 2007 and continued through December 2007.
• Handled large amounts of cash. Charles Singleton and Boytina Locke, for instance, were arrested Dec. 1, 2007, with a .40 caliber Glock pistol and $32,051 in cash on the floor of the vehicle they were driving, a black GMC Yukon. He was parked in the driveway at 140 N. 38th, Kansas City, Kan.
• Used telephones, cell phones and coded language to arrange to order, deliver and collect payment for cocaine and other drugs. Investigators used wiretaps to gather evidence. For instance, on Dec. 1, 2007, Boytina Locke is alleged to have called Juan Carlos Olvera-Rivera and said, "I need a six pack right this second but I am about to call my other guys up. What's the deal?" Olivera-Rivera and Locke agreed to meet at the "highway" in 20 minutes. The term "six pack" was code for a quarter kilogram of cocaine and the "highway" was code for the residence at 140 N. 38th, Kansas City, Kan.
• Handled drugs in large amounts. For instance, investigators serving a search warrant at 83 S. 14th, Kansas City, Kan., discovered 16 kilograms (more than 35 pounds) of cocaine and $77,229 in cash.
• Grossed more than $12 million from drug trafficking in 2006 and 2007. In one of three indictments, the government is seeking a money judgment of $2 million, and $10.75 million in another indictment.

For names of defendants and more information about the indictments see the Operation Stonewalled Fact Sheet (a separate handout).

Melgren made the announcement in the afternoon, following a morning sweep in which federal, state and local law enforcement officers moved in quickly to arrest suspects. Joining Melgren for the news conference at the federal courthouse in downtown Kansas City, Kan. were representatives of many of the agencies that assisted in the investigation and serving arrest warrants including:

• The Leavenworth Police Department
• The Drug Enforcement Administration
• The Federal Bureau of Investigation
• The Kansas City, Kansas, Police Department
  - The Wyandotte County District Attorney's Office
• The Atchison Police Department
• The Kansas City, Missouri, Police Department
• The Independence Missouri Police Department
• The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives
• The Kansas Highway Patrol
• The Johnson County, Kansas, Sheriff's Office
• The Overland Park Police Department
• The Bureau of Immigration and Customs Enforcement
• The Belton Police Department
• The Kansas Bureau of Investigations
• The Missouri Highway Patrol
• The Lafayette County Prosecuting Attorney's Office
• The Olathe Police Department
• The Lee's Summit Police Department
• The Jackson County, Missouri, Sheriff's Office
• The Internal Revenue Service
• The U.S. Marshals Service
• The U.S. Postal Service
• The Raymore, Missouri, Police Department
• The Leavenworth County Sheriff's Office
• The Topeka Police Department

"The use of illicit drugs by America's young people has dropped more than 20 percent since 2001," Melgren said. "There are several reasons for that, but I believe an important one is the pressure law enforcement is putting on the drug traffickers. We're targeting their weak spots, seizing their products, disrupting their delivery networks and eating up their profits."

Melgren was referring to "2007 Monitoring the Future Study," which was released in December 2007 by the Office of National Drug Control Policy, www.whitehousedrugpolicy.gov

For names of defendants and more information about the indictments, see the Operation Stonewalled Fact Sheet (a separate handout).

As in any criminal case, a person is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty. The charges filed merely contain allegations of criminal conduct.