Major drug raid in Magic Valley

JEROME, Idaho (KMVT/KSVT) — There's a major victory against drug trafficking in the Magic Valley. Local, state and federal law enforcement have shut down a major drug pipeline into Idaho.

After almost a year of investigation, ten arrests were made for drug trafficking in the Magic Valley.

U.S. Attorney Josh Hurwit said state police and the Drug Enforcement Administration have launched an investigation into the Idaho-based organization, which has ties to Arizona, California and Mexico.

“Investigators quickly began working with local law enforcement, particularly in Jerome County and Twin Falls County, and the investigation expanded from there,” Hurwit said.

Several suspects were charged with conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute.

The accused include:

Oscar Alejandro Perez-Gomez, 32, of Jerome; charged with conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine.

Patrick Delacruz, 40, of Jerome; charged with conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine.

Leonardo Espinoza-Romero, 31, of Jerome; charged with conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine.

Daniel D. Thomas, 47, of Jerome; charged with conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and cocaine.

Artemio Morgan Hurtado, Jr., 24, of Shoshone; charged with conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and use of a communications facility to commit or facilitate a crime.

Luis Enrique Gonzalez, 40, of Jerome; charged with conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, distribution of methamphetamine, and possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine.

Jesus Arturo Torres-Herrera, 36, of Twin Falls; charged with possession of methamphetamine with intent to resell.

Raquel May, 28, of Twin Falls; charged with possession of methamphetamine with intent to resell.

Robert Troglia, 52, of Jerome; charged with trafficking methamphetamine.

Liliana Morales-Caliz, 34, of Jerome; charged with four counts of trafficking in methamphetamine.

Hurwit spoke about how investigators were able to charge three suspects with selling methamphetamine in what was called a “controlled purchase.”

“[A controlled buy] is a very carefully managed operation where a drug dealer is basically tricked into selling drugs to an undercover agent. It's all monitored, it's all secure, the drugs are immediately seized so they're no longer in our communities. And there's evidence that this drug dealer actually sold that amount of drugs to someone, which is a crime,” Hurwit said.

Police seized 30 pounds of meth and shut down a drug pipeline to Magic Valley.

Governor Brad Little praised the operation and its success.

“We want to do everything we can to send the message to the nefarious parties that Idaho is not a place to do this sort of thing. And we want to work seamlessly with all agencies, federal, state and local, to make sure there are no individual fights and that the communication there is seamless,” Little said. “So if you're trying to get away with something, this is not the place to do it.”

Hurwit said authorities believe that shutting down this drug pipeline will help prevent further methamphetamine flowing out of Idaho. The next step will be to file charges against those arrested.

“In the Magic Valley, we will hopefully make a difference with this case and this investigation, but the partnerships we have and continue to build should put us in a good position to prevent other drug trafficking organizations from taking the place of this one,” Hurwit said.

He also said that the trials of those now accused should begin at the end of next month.

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