Special Agent in Charge Stephen Anthony, Cleveland Division of the FBI, Northern District of Ohio, announces the arrests of 11 members of a Mexican drug trafficking organization.

On March 16, 2016, at approximately 7:00 a.m., law enforcement officers from the Cleveland Division of the FBI Stark County Safe Streets Task Force, Alliance Police Department, Akron Police Department, Canton Police Department, Jackson Township Police Department, Louisville Police Department, and State of Ohio Adult Parole Authority executed eight arrest warrants and seven search warrants throughout the Akron and Canton area. All were charged with intent to distribute and distribution of crystal methamphetamine (Title 21, Section 841) and conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and distribution of crystal methamphetamine (Title 21, Section 846).

Those arrested today include, Carlos Elias (33), Lisa Elias (36), Nikki Greenwood (37), Michael Mack (39), Wilmer Martinez (25), Steven Petit (35), and Richard Stewart (57). Robert Willham (36) is a fugitive from justice.

Jose Cuevas (28), Javier Roque (30), and Nicholas Stewart (35) were previously arrested and charged locally in Stark and Summit Counties on drug trafficking and weapons violations.

Today’s operation, dubbed Schrock & Awe, is the culmination of a nearly six-month investigation by law enforcement into a Mexican drug trafficking organization that has been distributing crystal methamphetamine throughout the Northern District of Ohio.

To date, law enforcement officers working Schrock & Awe have seized a total of 10 firearms; one pound of cocaine; 145 pounds of marijuana with a street wholesale value of $150,000; 11 pounds of methamphetamine with a street value of $150,000; and $100,000 cash.

“I want to thank our law enforcement partners for their efforts during this investigation that culminated in today’s arrests and searches,” said Stephen Anthony, special agent in charge, Cleveland Division of the FBI. “These arrests are a fine example of how the FBI and our law enforcement partners will aggressively pursue and bring to justice those individuals who place our community at risk.”

“This ring is responsible for shipping pounds of crystal meth into Stark and Summit counties,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Carole S. Rendon. “The fact that this pipeline was shut off is a credit to the FBI, the Akron and Canton Police Departments, and our other law enforcement partners.”

A complaint 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.

Any questions regarding this news release can be directed to Special Agent Donna Sullivan at the Cleveland Field office of the FBI at (216) 522-1400 or donna.sullivan@ic.fbi.gov.