Drone Operations Delivered Drugs into Prisons, Leading to 10 Indictments Combined

Judging by the events of last week, drugs may be easier to find in jail than on the street. At least two major drone delivery businesses that fly drugs to prisons on demand were shut down by federal agents last week. Drones delivered not just weed, but weed-mimicking spice/K2 drugs, butane oil, and a variety of other drugs and contraband.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of California press release On Thursday, it announced that four defendants had been charged with plotting to deliver drugs to prisons via drones.

• Michael Ray Acosta, 48, is already incarcerated at Pleasant Valley State Penitentiary, where he faces charges of conspiracy to distribute drugs and faces federal racketeering charges.
• Jose Enrique Oropeza, 34, of Colton, California, was charged with conspiracy to possess and operate an unregistered drone, as well as several other charges.
• Rosendo Rene Ramirez, 34, of Sacramento, has been charged with conspiracy to distribute drugs using unregistered drones, as well as several other charges, compounded by the use of firearms.
• David Ramirez Jr., 34, of Sacramento has been charged with drug distribution conspiracy and several other charges.

“Between January 1 and December 10, 2021, Acosta used a contraband cell phone to make multiple smuggling attempts to Pleasant Valley State Penitentiary and other prisons in the state, according to court documents. We have arranged the delivery of the goods,” the attorney’s office wrote, adding. Three other men operated a fleet of drones to deliver the drugs.

“Oropeza, Rosendo Ramirez, and David Ramirez Jr. flew a drone over the prison and dropped a package of contraband into the prison. The packages Acosta helped smuggle into prison contained methamphetamine, heroin, cocaine, marijuana, cell phones, cell phone accessories, butane oil, and various other items. rice field.

If convicted of conspiracy, defendants face up to 10 years in prison and fines of up to $10 million. If convicted of possession with intent to distribute the drug, the defendant faces a sentence of five years to her 40 and a fine of up to $5 million. Rosendo Rene Ramirez was a felon and possessed a firearm, plus he faces additional charges that could carry him to ten years in prison and a fine.

Increase in Drones Used to Deliver Medicines

Meanwhile, another team of criminals allegedly used drones to deliver drugs to the U.S. prison in Leavenworth. Six more people were indicted on drug charges in the operation.

All six face various conspiracy and drug possession charges. Dale Gaver III and Melvin Edwards were already in prison on separate charges, but outside of prison he allegedly arranged for four more to deliver drugs. From August 2020 to May 2021, he said, drugs were available on demand, and inmates in the prison yard could order specific drugs. wichita eagle report.

• Dale Gaver III, 35, from Omaha, Nebraska.
• Dale Gaver II, 54, from Omaha, Nebraska.
• Joshua Hamilton, 37, from Omaha, Nebraska.
• Rex Hill 33 in Riverside, CA.
• Melvin Edwards, 44, of Riverside, California.
• Tamarae Holman, 36, from Riverside, CA.

This drone delivery operation involved a man who allegedly delivered drugs to a prison via drone. sacramento bee reportIn this case, drones delivered Spice/K2 drugs, marijuana, cigarettes and cell phones to the prison.

This prison deserves special attention. Housed the first people arrested for weed under the Marijuana Tax Act of 1937.

Court documents do not list the names of the defendants’ attorneys.