TYLER, TX— More than two dozen defendant were indicted after a lengthy investigation into a drug trafficking organization dealing with methamphetamine, the U.S. Justice Department announced Thursday.
On Mar. 14, 2015, a federal grand jury returned a sealed indictment charging 27 individuals with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine.
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The indictment states that beginning in July 2014, the defendants conspired to distribute at least three pounds of methamphetamine in the Jacksonville, Texas and Cherokee County area.
During the investigation, agents conducted about 40 controlled buys of over $65,000 worth of methamphetamine.
The drug trafficking organization uses a network of drug couriers, distributors and multiple sources of supply bringing methamphetamine to Cherokee County, Angelina County, Marshall, Texas and into Louisiana.
The indictment also charges two of those defendants with being criminal aliens who are in the the United States illegally after having been deported and four with firearms violations, officials said.
A combined task force of federal, state and local law enforcement began executing federal arrest warrants and search warrants this week as a result of the investigation.
If convicted, the defendants each face from 10 years to life in prison, according to authorities.
All defendants are presumed innocent until they are proven guilty, officials said.