Indianapolis heroin trafficking organization dismantled; 4 arrested

INDIANAPOLIS — Four men face federal charges following their arrest Wednesday for their roles in a drug trafficking operation that stretched from Tempe, Arizona, to Indianapolis.

These charges were announced Thursday by U.S. Attorney Josh J. Minkler, Southern District of Indiana; Marion County Prosecutor Terry Curry; and Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department (IMPD) Chief Rick Hite.

The charges resulted from an investigation conducted by the following agencies: Marion County Prosecutor's Office, IMPD, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Internal Revenue Service (IRS), Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and the Indiana State Police.

Federal agents and IMPD detectives served search warrants at three west-side locations March 25 and confiscated large quantities of heroin, cocaine and cash.

The following defendants were charged with conspiracy to distribute heroin and cocaine:

• Geraldo Colon, 46, of Indianapolis,
• Darrell Fuqua, 39, of Indianapolis,
• Agustin Osuna-Toquillas, 26, and
• Marco Antonio Bueno-Acosta, 24.

“Drug dealing has proven fatal too many times recently in Indianapolis,” said Minkler. “Our top commitment remains doing everything possible to keep our neighborhoods safe and we will use all laws at our disposal to make that happen. Dismantling armed drug trafficking organizations is a critical component to our priority of reducing violent crime in Indianapolis.”

“The collaborative efforts in this case by our investigators, law enforcement and federal agency partners, showcase the overall commitment of improving the quality of life in our city,” said Hite. “By disrupting and dismantling major organizations that introduce and distribute the illegal drugs found in our streets, we can continue our focus on eliminating one of the major root causes of violent crime in our community.”

Law enforcement officials have been pursuing this investigation since late 2013. In January 2014, after an investigation by the Marion County Prosecutor's Office and IMPD, 13 individuals were arrested after officers seized about eight kilograms (17.6 pounds) of cocaine, 12 firearms (including two assault rifles and two stolen handguns) and $200,000 in the Butler-Tarkington area. As a result of the investigation, Colon was identified as a major target.

In May 2014, DEA agents in Phoenix, Arizona, provided information that large amounts of narcotics were being shipped to Indianapolis. Colon again was a primary target as one of the main distributors of narcotics in the Indianapolis area. As a result of the information received from DEA, several arrests were made involving large quantities of heroin and cocaine.

On May 15, 2014, one kilogram (2.2 pounds) of heroin, two firearms and more than $1.8 million in U.S. currency was confiscated from a Greenwood, Indiana, residence with connections to Colon. On May 29, 2014, IMPD detectives obtained information involving the same group that led to the seizure of about 40 pounds of methamphetamine and five firearms — two of which were stolen.

On Jan. 20, 2015, law enforcement arrested Daniel Stewart, a Colon associate, and confiscated five handguns (two of which were stolen), about two kilograms (4.4 pounds) of heroin, two kilograms of cocaine and two pounds of methamphetamine, along with $487,542 in U.S. currency. Law enforcement continued their surveillance of Colon. On March 24, he was observed loading a large box into the rear of a vehicle at his residence in the 3500 block of North Moller Road. The vehicle drove away but was stopped a few minutes later and was found to contain 10 kilograms (22 pounds) of cocaine and four kilograms (8.8 pounds) of heroin.

On March 24, search warrants were served at Colon's residence and two other locations known to be associated with Colon. Law enforcement officials found four kilograms (8.8 pounds) of cocaine, three kilograms (6.6 pounds) of heroin and more than $1.8 million in cash.

In total, 20 federal and 45 state defendants have been charged. More than 10 kilograms (22 pounds) of heroin, 25 kilograms (55 pounds) of cocaine, 42 pounds of methamphetamine, 25 guns and $4.5 million in cash has been confiscated.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Michelle Brady, Southern District of Indiana, is prosecuting this case; all defendants face from 10 years to life, if convicted.

A complaint is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt. A defendant is presumed innocent and is entitled to a fair trial at which the government must prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.