Vermont restauranteur arrested in connection with seizure of over 80 pounds of heroin
BURLINGTON, Vt. – A Bennington County pizza restauranteur was arrested in connection with an October 2015 seizure of more than 80 pounds of heroin, following a joint investigation conducted by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) with assistance from the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the Vermont State Police (VSP), and the U.S. Border Patrol (USBP).
Marco Antonio Lam Peralta, 42, of South Londonderry, Vermont was arrested Tuesday based upon an arrest warrant for conspiracy to distribute heroin.
According to court records, the arrest was connected to a drug seizure in Miami of more than 40 kilograms of heroin that had been shipped from Guatemala. The shipment was destined for an address in Manchester Center, Vermont, and on October 8, 2015 police arrested Diego Mejia Paredes as he took delivery of the shipment. Following an investigation by HSI, DEA, VSP, and USBP it was revealed that Paredes was working with Lam Peralta in connection with the intercepted shipment. Lam Peralta is also connected to previous shipments from Guatemala which law enforcement believes contained heroin.
"As heroin use continues to plague our communities, our collaborative efforts with law enforcement partners serve as a great way to fight back to stem the tide of this dangerous and deadly epidemic," said Matt Etre, special agent in charge of HSI New England. "HSI and our federal, state, and local law enforcement partners are committed to putting an end to this growing scourge."
U.S. Attorney Eric S. Miller observed that Tuesday’s arrest was the result of extraordinary investigative coordination between DEA, HSI, VSP, and USBP. “The arrest of Mr. Lam Peralta is the result of extraordinary effort by, and cooperation among, DEA, HSI, VSP, and USBP. I am once again pleased to see our federal and State partners working so closely together to stem the flow of heroin into Vermont.”
This matter is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael Drescher.
The public is reminded that an indictment contains only charges and is not evidence of guilt. The defendants are presumed innocent and are entitled to a fair trial at which the government has the burden of proving guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
Updated: