The US Attorney for Central Illinois, Jim Lewis, says an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force has closed down a major drug pipeline. Lewis says this pipeline touched areas as far South as Texas and North to Chicago but was headquartered in Central Illinois.
Lewis says 30-year-old Eddi Ramirez from Paxton, has been arrested and is looked at as the leader. He is charged with conspiracy to distribute. The Task Force also uncovered the Stash House in Decatur at 76 East Court Drive, where the drugs were being stored and distributed.
A total of 18 people have been charged with various drug trafficking offenses, two people from Texas, two from Elgin, four people from Decatur, six from Springfield, two from Calumet City and one from Rantoul.
Three previously charged Springfield men, with ties to Ramirez, are 37-year-old Orlandon Roberson, 31-year-old Bernardo Shankline and 32-year-old Michael Gant. Three others are facing charges: 20-year-old Jourdan Hullinger, 28-year-old Alex Gardner adn 26-year-old Gabriel Lopez-Saucedo.
Many different departments joined in the "Operation Tres Ciudades (Three Cities) including the Drug Enforcement Administration, Springfield Police Department, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Decatur Police Department, and the Illinois State Police.
To see the entire press release from the US Attorney's Office, click here.