Nine charged in Aurora cocaine distribution ring

Beacon-News Staff Jan 7, 2011 7:23PM

Eddie L. Hernandez, Eddie L. Hernandez, Guadalupe Gil, Jose M. Baez, Jose A. Nunez-Martinez, Manuel V. Carranza, Roberto C. Hernandez, Rodolfo Gallardo
Jr.

Nine people have been charged after a lengthy investigation into cocaine distribution in
Aurora, the North Central Narcotics Task Force announced Friday. The seven men and
two women arrested face charges ranging from distribution of drugs to false reporting of
a stolen car.
North Central Narcotics Task Force Director Sgt. Bill Backus said the arrests are related
to the same drug investigation that led Aurora officers to seize $190,000 from a car they
stopped in October. That seizure has been contested because the occupants of the car —
two Aurora brothers — were not charged with any crimes, although the money has been
sent to the federal government. The brothers are not among the nine people charged.
Those charged are:
Manuel Carranza, 24, of the 100 block of Heathgate Road, Montgomery, charged with
possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver, possession of a controlled
substance and delivery of a controlled substance.
Roberto Hernandez, 27, of the 1000 block of Russell Avenue, Aurora; possession of a
controlled substance with intent to deliver, charged with possession of a controlled
substance, false reporting of a stolen motor vehicle, and aggravated fleeing and eluding.
Eddie Hernandez, 19, of the 1000 block of Indian Avenue, Aurora; charge with use of a
weapon within 1,000 feet of a school and use of a weapon.
Guadalupe Gil, 22, of the 100 block of Heathgate Road, Montgomery; charged with
possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver and possession of a controlled
substance.
Helen Finneran, 40, of the 900 block of East St. Charles Street, Lombard; charged with
possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver.
Jose Nunez-Martinez, 36, of the 800 block of East New York Street, Aurora; charged
with possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver and possession of a
controlled substance.
Jose Baez, 26, of the 1000 block of Fifth Street, Aurora; charged with possession of a
controlled substance.
Rodolfo Gallardo Jr., 19, of the 700 block of Morningside Avenue, Aurora; charged with
possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver and possession of a controlled
substance.
Gabriela Hernandez, 17, of the 1000 block of Russell Avenue, Aurora; charged with false
reporting of a stolen motor vehicle.
Undercover investigation
Backus said the investigation involved Aurora police, Kane County prosecutors,
Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency, and the U.S. attorney’s office.
Backus said the investigation started in April of 2010 when undercover agents purchased
cocaine from Carranza several times in Aurora. During negotiations to purchase multiple
kilograms of cocaine, agents learned Carranza’s suppliers smuggled cocaine into the U.S.
from Mexico, Backus said.
Over the next few months, police from Aurora, the task force and ICE conducted
surveillance on several suspects and obtained telephone wire taps, Backus said.
Backus said information obtained during the surveillance and wiretaps was forwarded to
law enforcement agencies in other states, which resulted in additional investigations.
According to Backus, the investigation resulted in the seizure of about $415,000 in cash,
three vehicles, a handgun and more than three kilograms of cocaine. Agents are also
pursuing the forfeiture of one home.
Authorities said Carranza, Roberto Hernandez and Eddie Hernandez were all involved in
the distribution of multiple-kilogram amounts of cocaine in the Aurora area. The other
suspects were involved in distribution of the cocaine in smaller amounts, Backus said.
Backus said charges are being reviewed on other suspects, and additional arrests are
expected.
Money seized
Two Aurora brothers, Jesus and Jose Martinez, were stopped by Aurora police on Oct.
18, 2010, on Aurora’s West Side. Although neither was charged with any offenses, police
seized $190,000 found in a bag in their vehicle.
Police said they stopped the vehicle after a wiretap on the brothers’ phones turned up
information about a meeting with a person involved in drug deals. The brothers have
gone to court seeking to have the $190,000 returned. On Wednesday, Kane County Judge
Thomas Mueller said police had probable cause to seize the money and declined to hold
the city of Aurora in contempt for not returning it.
“We are confident in our investigation, the actions of our officers and the future
successful prosecution of these subjects,” Backus said.