WICHITA, KS—Two people living in Liberal were indicted Wednesday on charges of trafficking more than four pounds of methamphetamine, U.S. Attorney Barry Grissom said.

Jose Alaniz-Hernandez, 37, and Anna Noreiga-Perez, 20, both of whom have been living in Liberal, Kan., were charged with one count of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. In court records, prosecutors allege that on Aug. 26, 2015, investigators served a search warrant at Space Station Secure Storage, 1120 E. Second Street in Liberal, Kan. In the unit, which was being used by the defendants, investigators found three Tupperware containers and 17 clear plastic bags containing approximately four pounds of methamphetamine.

“Methamphetamine is a principal drug threat in Kansas,” said U.S. Attorney Barry Grissom. “Whether it comes from laboratories in Mexico or it is locally produced, it is readily available in our communities, along with the violence and related crimes it supports.”

If convicted, the defendants face a penalty of not less than 10 years and a fine up to $4 million. The Drug Enforcement Administration investigated. Assistant U.S. Attorney David Lind is prosecuting.

OTHER INDICTMENTS

Azucena Garcia-Ferniza, 21, who has been living in Salina, Kan., is charged with one count of unlawful possession of a firearm by an alien illegally in the United States. The crime is alleged to have occurred May 7, 2015, in Saline County, Kan.

If convicted, she faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in federal prison and a fine up to $250,000. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Enforcement and Removal Operations investigated. Assistant U.S. Attorney Brent Anderson is prosecuting.

Calvin M. Hymon, 31, Topeka, Kan., is charged with one count of unlawful possession of a firearm following a felony conviction. The crime is alleged to have occurred Aug. 2, 2015, in Shawnee County, Kan.

If convicted, he faces a maximum penalty of 10 years and a fine up to $250,000. The FBI investigated. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jared Maag is prosecuting.

Antonio Garcia-Viveros, 32, Kansas City, Kan., and Asuncion Cortez-Chavez, 27, Kansas City, Kan., are charged with one count of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. In addition, Garcia-Viveros is charged with one count of unlawful possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking. The crimes are alleged to have occurred Aug. 6, 2015, in Kansas City, Kan.

Upon conviction, the methamphetamine charge carries a penalty of not less than 10 years and a fine up to $10 million; and the firearm charge carries a penalty of not less than five years and a fine up to $250,000. The Drug Enforcement Administration investigated. Assistant U.S. Attorney Trent Krug is prosecuting.

Jose Luis Garcia-Flores, 44, a citizen of Mexico, is charged with one count of unlawfully re-entering the United States after being deported. He was found Aug. 21, 2015, in Finney County, Kan.

If convicted, he faces a maximum penalty of two years in federal prison and a fine up to $250,000. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Enforcement and Removal Operations investigated. Assistant U.S. Attorney Brent Anderson is prosecuting.

Victor Ruiz-Arias, 45, a citizen of Mexico, is charged with one count of unlawfully re-entering the United States after being deported. He was found Aug. 22, 2015, in Sedgwick County, Kan.

If convicted, he faces a maximum penalty of two years in federal prison and a fine up to $250,000. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Enforcement and Removal Operations investigated. Assistant U.S. Attorney Brent Anderson is prosecuting.

Darnell Sharon O’Connor, 34, Overland Park, Kan., is charged with one count of unlawful possession of a firearm following a felony conviction. The crime is alleged to have occurred March 8, 2014, in Lawrence, Kan.

If convicted, he faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in federal prison and a fine up to $250,000. The Lawrence Police Department investigated. Special Assistant U.S. Attorney James Ward is prosecuting.

Stephen M. Nelson, 26, Kan., is charged with one count of unlawful possession of a firearm following a felony conviction. The crime is alleged to have occurred March 8, 2014, in Kansas City, Kan.

If convicted, he faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in federal prison and a fine up to $250,000. The U.S. Marshals Service investigated. Special Assistant U.S. Attorney James Ward is prosecuting.

In all cases, defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty. The indictments merely contain allegations of criminal conduct.