Suspects Arrested for Drug Trafficking

MARSHALL – Ten persons have been arrested as a combined task force of federal, state and local law enforcement agencies began executing federal arrest warrants. The arrests follow a three year investigation into the distribution of methamphetamine and cocaine in the Marshall area.

Three separate indictments were returned by a federal grand jury on October 3 charging 12 persons with federal drug and firearms violations. Of those, nine were arrested Wednesday and another was already in state custody. Those in custody, all Marshall residents, are identified as:
Apolinar Carbajal Abelardo, aka, La Cartera, 40;
Santiago Carbajal Abelardo, aka, Chiquies, 25;
Jehovani Abelardo, 20;
Santos Acuna, 23;
Rigoberto Aguirre-Valle, aka, Rigo, 35;
Karin Cardenas, aka, Quequi, 20;
Joeli Higuera Fernandez, 28;
Melicio Nunez-Duque, 44;
Julia Flores Saucedo, aka, Julia Bernal, 32; and
Oscar Diaz-Mendoza, 34.

During Wednesday’s arrests, officers also seized 14 firearms, a pound and a half of methamphetamine, two ounces of powder cocaine, $8,600 in cash, and four vehicles.

According to the first indictment, beginning in 2009, Apolinar Abelardo, Santiago Abelardo, Jehovani Abelardo, and Santos Acuna, conspired with others to import methamphetamine and cocaine into Northeast Texas for distribution in the Marshall area. The defendants are all charged with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and distribution of cocaine and methamphetamine, two counts of possession with intent to distribute and distribution of cocaine, four counts of possession with intent to distribute and distribution of methamphetamine, and one count of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.

According to the second indictment, beginning in 2010, Rigoberto Aguirre-Valle, Karin Cardenas, and Joeli Fernandez conspired to deliver methamphetamine from Mexico to Northeast Texas for distribution in the Marshall area. The defendants are charged with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine and 8 counts of possession with intent to distribute and distribution of methamphetamine.

According to the third indictment, beginning in 2011, Melicio Nunez-Duque, Julia Saucedo, and Oscar Diaz-Mendoza conspired to distribute over 50 grams of methamphetamine in Marshall and Karnack, Texas. They are all charged with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine and four counts of possession with intent to distribute and distribution of methamphetamine.

If convicted of the drug conspiracy charges, the defendants face a minimum of 10 years and up to life in federal prison. If convicted of the drug possession charges, the defendants face up to 20 years in federal prison. If convicted on the weapons violations, those defendants face at least 5 years and up to 40 years in federal prison. The indictments also seek forfeiture of any property used to commit or facilitate the crimes or derived from proceeds of the conspiracy.