Five people were sentenced Thursday for their roles in a Northwest Arkansas drug trafficking ring.
According to documents filed in the case, the investigation, called "West End Gambler,” began in October of 2012 when the DEA received information about an organization that was involved in distributing large quantities of methamphetamine in Northwest Arkansas.
Arturo Vaca-Raya, of Springdale, was identified as the leader of this organization. As a result of the investigation, law enforcement agencies were able to identify 12 associates of Vaca-Raya who were also involved in distributing methamphetamine.
Through the investigation, law enforcement agencies learned that Vaca-Raya was involved in smuggling large quantities of methamphetamine into Northwest Arkansas and distributing the methamphetamine to other drug dealers in Arkansas and Oklahoma, according to a news release.
“We remain dedicated to working together to dismantle drug-trafficking organizations in Northwest Arkansas and across the Western District,” Conner Eldridge, U.S. Attorney, said in a press release. “These criminal enterprises bring crime into our communities and drugs onto our streets. We will continue to do all we can to keep our communities safe from this activity.”
On December 2, 2012, the DEA learned that Vaca-Raya was expecting a large shipment and placed his residence under surveillance. During the surveillance, the agents observed a co-conspirator from Texas named Maria Molina bring Vaca-Raya what appeared to be a large quantity of methamphetamine. Vaca-Raya was arrested later that day.
The next day, on December 3, 2012, the DEA executed a search warrant on his residence. During the search, the agents recovered approximately 6.9 kilograms of methamphetamine, digital scales, a firearm, and ammunition.
Vaca-Raya, 41, was sentenced to 40 years in prison without the possibility of parole and five years of supervised release for possession of more than 500 grams of methamphetamine with intent to distribute.
Maria Molina, 31, of Dallas, was sentenced to 48 months in prison without the possibility of parole and three years of supervised release for conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine. She was also ordered to pay a $10,000 fine.
Alfonzo Morales, 27, of Springdale, was sentenced to 12 years in prison without the possibility of parole and three years of supervised release for the distribution of methamphetamine after selling two ounces of methamphetamine to a confidential informant.
Manuel Vaca, 20, of Los Angeles, was sentenced to five years of probation for using a cell phone to facilitate the distribution of methamphetamine.
Griselda Monroy, 29, of Springdale, was sentenced to 48 months in prison without the possibility of parole and ordered to pay a $3,000 fine for aiding and abetting in money laundering after wiring money derived from drug trafficking to Mexico and elsewhere.
The cases were investigated by the federal Drug Enforcement Administration, the Benton County Sheriff’s Office, the Washington County Sheriff’s Office, the Springdale Police Department, and the Fayetteville Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney Clay Fowlkes prosecuted the cases for the United States.