The Department of Justice says 12 members of an international drug cartel have been indicted for operating in the Shenandoah Valley.

According to DoJ spokesman Brian McGinn, a federal grand jury sitting in U.S. District Court in Harrisonburg issued indictments under seal on March 5 for 12 members of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG), which has been labeled one of the five most dangerous transnational organizations in the world.

“CJNG is one of the most dangerous drug cartels in the world, and its members and associates are actively operating in the Shenandoah Valley and Southside Virginia,” United States Attorney Cullen stated. “Dismantling organized drug activity and staunching the flow of deadly substances like heroin and cocaine into our communities are among my top priorities as U.S. attorney. I am grateful that our federal, state, and local partners share this goal and for their hard work during the course of this investigation."

Following the initial court appearance of two of the defendants, the indictments were unsealed on March 25.

According to court documents, the defendants trafficked multiple kilograms of cocaine, heroin, and marijuana from Mexico into the United States between January 2015 and February 2019.

As part of their operation, CJNG members allegedly recruited Mexican nationals to live in Axton and Winchester in order to facilitate the distribution of the drugs.

Attorneys argue that they maintained a series of homes in and around Axton as fronts for receiving, storing, packaging, and distributing cocaine and marijuana received directly from CJNG members.

The drugs were then shipped to Winchester and elsewhere throughout the Mid-Atlantic for redistribution.

Ana Bella Sanchez-Rios, the owner of a money transmitting business, is accused of money laundering. The Dept. of Justice says she knowingly transmitted funds that had been derived from a criminal offense.

The 12 individuals indicted by the grand jury are:

1. Ramon Carillo-Ruvalcaba, a.k.a. “The Barber” one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute cocaine, heroin, and marijuana.

2. Eduardo Contreras-Devora, one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute cocaine, heroin, and marijuana and one count of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.

3. Daniel Gomez-Barajas, one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute cocaine, heroin, and marijuana.

4. Roman Idearte-Bolanos, one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute cocaine, heroin, and marijuana.

5. Alberto Jijon, one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute cocaine, heroin, and marijuana.

6. Miguel Angel Patricio-Cajero, one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute cocaine, heroin, and marijuana.

7. Isdro Ramos-Bojorquez, a.k.a. “Chilo” one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute cocaine, heroin, and marijuana.

8. Jesus Rogelio Ramirez, a.k.a. “Jesse” one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute cocaine, heroin, and marijuana.

9. Jonathan Rocas-Osorio, a.k.a. “Oscar Osorio-Munoz” one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute cocaine, heroin, and marijuana.

10. Ana Bella Sanchez-Rios, one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute cocaine, heroin, and marijuana and one count of money laundering.

11. Ritchie Triplett, one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute cocaine, heroin, and marijuana.

12. Ernesto Valenzuela-Flores, a.k.a. “Juan Flores-Arrellano” one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute cocaine, heroin, and marijuana.

The investigation of the case was conducted by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Department of Homeland Security-Homeland Security Investigations, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Federal Bureau of Investigations, the Northwest Virginia Regional Drug and Gang Task Force (NWVRDGTF), the Henry County Sheriff’s Office, and the Virginia State Police. Assistance was provided by the Winchester Sheriff’s Office.

“This investigation demonstrates the extensive reach of Mexican drug cartels and the dangers posed by their presence and activities in the Western District of Virginia and across the Commonwealth,” said Jesse R. Fong, Special Agent in Charge of DEA Washington Field Division. “The DEA will continue to work with our federal, state, and local law enforcement partners, as well as the U.S. Attorney’s Office, to hold these powerful cartels accountable for the destruction they cause.”

Assistant United States Attorneys Erin M. Kulpa and Sean Welsh are prosecuting the case for the United States.