Drug Bust Nets Millions In Cash & 31 Kilos Of Cocaine

BALTIMORE (WJZ) -- A major drug trafficking ring in Maryland with ties to a Mexican drug organization has been shut down. A DEA task force has busted a multi-million dollar drug operation, confiscating 31 kilos of cocaine. Investigators say it will have a major impact on city streets.

Meghan McCorkell has details on how the bust happened.

Four men now face federal drug charges, arrested after an eight-month-long investigation.

Thirty-one kilos of cocaine and $2.4 million dollars cash are off the streets as a DEA task force makes a massive drug bust.

"We just disrupted a major cell here in the area," said DEA Special Agent Karl Colder.

WJZ has obtained photos of when agents moved in to arrest four men outside a Linthicum Heights warehouse.

"I honestly really haven't seen anyone there; haven't noticed anyone coming around since then," said Kevin Sykes, who works nearby.

Court papers say DEA agents got a tip that a company called KMKJ Trucking was moving large amounts of drugs from Mexico into Maryland.

"They were using this trucking company essentially as a cover to conceal their drug dealing organization," said Rod Rosenstein, US Attorney.

Investigators say men unloaded a tractor trailer at the warehouse last Wednesday. On Friday, they pulled over a car leaving unit L and found nearly 60 pounds of cocaine inside. Sixty-four-year-old Hector Hernandez-Villapando and his two sons, Enixae and Hector Hernandez-Barbra were arrested, along with alleged accomplice William Cornish.

Investigators say when they served a search warrant at one of the suspects' homes, they found even more evidence: more than $2 million vacuum-sealed, hidden in duffel bags in the basement, along with a ledger of drug transaction receipts.

People who work nearby are in shock.

"It's surprising to just know it was that close. That's what kind of wows me. I know it's out there but...10 feet away is kind of crazy," said one.

The four men now face life behind bars.

Officials say the 31 kilos of cocaine could potentially have a street value of $2 million.

Investigators say they believe breaking up this ring will have a huge impact on the amount of cocaine being dealt in Baltimore City.

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