Gregory A. White, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Ohio, announced today that seven individuals were arrested on drug conspiracy charges, by federal, state and local law enforcement agents. The arresting agents seized 27 kilograms from a hotel room in Elyria, Ohio, which were destined for distribution in Lorain and Cleveland, Ohio. The arrested individuals, along with a remaining fugitive, were indicted on September 26, 2006, by a Federal grand jury in a 36 count indictment.

Arrested were Marcos Marcano, age 26, of 202 East 23rd Street and 3591 Gregus Avenue, Lorain, Ohio; Hugo Marcano, age 28, of 202 East 23rd Street, Lorain, Ohio; Jose Hermocillo, 32, of 2302 East 29th Street, Lorain, Ohio; Natanael Novales, age 26, of 2416 East 42nd Street, Lorain, Ohio; Wilfredo Vazquez, age 28, of 4020 Seneca Avenue, Lorain, Ohio; Oscar Robles, age 26, of 4812 Briarwood, Lorain, Ohio; and Gilberto Diaz, age 27, of 1625 Auburn Avenue, Cleveland, Ohio.

The indictment charges the crimes of conspiring to possess with the intent to distribute and to distribute cocaine and heroin; and in Counts 2 through 36 with use a telephone to facilitate a drug trafficking crime.

The indictment alleges that from on or about December 2005, through September 22, 2006, the previously named defendants were involved in a conspiracy to distribute cocaine and heroin mainly in the greater Lorain County area. The indictment alleges based on evidence developed from wiretaps, that Jose Hermocillo assisted another in supplying multiple kilograms of cocaine to Marcos Marcano, who in turn supplied Gilberto Diaz, Wilfredo Vasquez, Oscar Robles, Natanael Novales, Hugo Marcano, and others for distribution. It is further alleged that Marcos Marcano was supplied heroin by others for distribution.

The sentences in this case, upon conviction may be determined by the Court after consideration of the Federal Sentencing guidelines, which depend upon a number of factors unique to each case, including the defendant’s prior criminal record, if any, the defendant’s role in the offense and the unique characteristics of the violation. In all cases, the sentence will not exceed the statutory maximum and in most cases it will be less than the maximum.

The indictment was presented to the grand jury by Assistant United States Attorney Blas E. Serrano, who is assigned to the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force. The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Caribbean Gang Task Force, the Lorain County Drug Task Force, Drug Enforcement Administration, City of Lorain Police Department, City of Elyria Police Department, and the Lorain County Prosecutor’s Office.

An indictment is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt. A defendant is entitled to a fair trial in which it will be the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.