Pubdate: Wed, 20 Mar 2002
Source: Salisbury Post (NC)
Copyright: 2002 Post Publishing Co
Contact:  http://www.salisburypost.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/380
Author: Jonathan Weaver

FEDS INDICT 15 MORE IN DRUG CASE

CHARLOTTE -- One year and one week after authorities found more than 8,000 
pounds of marijuana and $1.4 million in cash in a tractor-trailer in 
Woodleaf, federal authorities have indicted 15 more people they say 
conducted a massive smuggling ring between Mexico and the entire East Coast 
of the U.S.

Thirteen of the 15 charged appeared in U.S. District Court for detention 
hearings Tuesday. Authorities are still looking for the other two. All but 
two of the defendants have Charlotte addresses.

The six men originally charged after the Woodleaf seizure were previously 
indicted on federal charges, bringing the total number of defendants to 21. 
Some of the original six have pleaded guilty, and others' cases are still 
pending, Assistant U.S. Attorney Bobby Higdon told the Post.

In court Tuesday, Higdon told U.S. Magistrate Judge H. Brent McKnight that 
the defendants, along with others, were responsible for smuggling between 
70,000 to 100,000 pounds of marijuana -- worth an estimated $80 million -- 
from Mexico to ports in Charleston and Baltimore. The defendants took the 
drugs to a network of stash houses and then distributed them in smaller 
quantities. According to the indictments, the operation began in 1996.

The roundup, called Operation Prospero, continued last week after the 
Federal Bureau of Investigation intercepted a 3,000-pound marijuana 
shipment from Charleston to Charlotte. Agents stopped the shipment in 
Charleston, checked it, then sent it on under heavy surveillance. At the 
load's destination -- an undisclosed spot off South Boulevard -- the 
arrests began.

Authorities learned of the shipment after wire-tapping suspect Eleazar 
Teodoro-Basilio's phone, Higdon said in court. During that time, "there 
were hundreds of phone calls made that were pertinent to the investigation."

Over time, the FBI, U.S. Customs, the State Bureau of Investigation, the 
U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police 
Department, Rowan Alcohol Beverage Control officers and Rowan County 
Sheriff's deputies were involved in the probe, along with other law 
enforcement agencies.

The defendants, many of them from Mexico, appeared in groups before 
Magistrate McKnight Tuesday. Many listened wide-eyed as a translator 
whispered the court dialogue. Nubia Flores of Charlotte made the sign of 
the cross and blew her family a kiss as federal marshals led her in.

Flores, 28, was the lone defendant given a $50,000 unsecured bond. Two 
others had their hearing continued. The balance will remain in custody 
pending their trial.

Many defense lawyers hastily pulled together a presentation on their 
client's behalf; some complained to McKnight they were not given enough 
time to prepare. "I don't even know what my client is charged with," said 
TheoNixon, Teodoro-Basilio's attorney. On Tuesday, McKnight unsealed 
indictments handed down March 5, and defense attorneys were told the nature 
of the charges.

Higdon also said that the U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Services had 
issued detainers against many of the defendants, meaning if released on 
bond they could be deported.

The investigation that led to the Woodleaf bust began after authorities 
received information that tractor-trailers would arrive at a residence at 
1445 N.C. Hwy. 801, unload, then promptly leave. Smaller trucks soon would 
arrive and leave just as quickly.

The Woodleaf location was a stash house, Higdon told McKnight Tuesday.

At the scene, authorities seized 8,200 pounds of bundled marijuana and $1.4 
million in cash, along with a red GMCtruck, a white Ford truck and an 
Allied Van Lines moving truck.

If convicted, the defendants could face from 10 years to life in prison.
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