Nine charged in Aurora cocaine investigation
Seven people arrested during a probe into cocaine distribution in Aurora face felony narcotics charges for possessing and delivering the substance, while two others face non-drug related charges, authorities said Friday.
The arrests were made during an investigation into cocaine delivery in Aurora led by the North Central Narcotics Task Force, with assistance from Aurora police, the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's Homeland Security Investigations Unit, the Kane County state's attorney's office and the U.S. attorney's office.
Bill Backus, director of the narcotics task force, said the following people were arrested in December and face charges stemming from the investigation, which began in April, 2010:
• Manuel V. Carranza, 24, of the 100 block of Heathgate Road in Montgomery, is charged with unlawful possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver and separate charges of unlawful possession and unlawful delivery.
• Roberto C. Hernandez, 27, of the 1000 block of Russell Avenue in Aurora, is charged with unlawful possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver and unlawful possession of a controlled substance. He also is charged with falsely reporting a stolen motor vehicle and aggravated fleeing and eluding.
• Three people — Guadalupe Gil, 22, of the 100 block of Heathgate Road in Montgomery; Jose A. Nunez-Martinez, 36, of the 800 block of East New York Street in Aurora; and Rodolfo Gallardo Jr., 19, of the 700 block of Morningside Avenue in Aurora — each are charged with unlawful possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver as well as unlawful possession of a controlled substance.
• Two others — Helen M. Finneran, 40, of the 900 block of East St. Charles in Lombard and Jose M. Baez, 26, of the 1000 block of Fifth Street in Aurora — face one count each of unlawful possession of a controlled substance.
• Eddie L. Hernandez, 19, of the 1100 block of Indian Avenue in Aurora, faces two weapons charges, and Gabriela E. Hernandez, 27, of the 1000 block of Russell Avenue in Aurora, faces a charge of falsely reporting a stolen motor vehicle.
Narcotics task force agents began the investigation by purchasing cocaine from Carranza in Aurora several times, Backus said in a release. Agents learned Carranza's sources were smuggling cocaine into the country from Mexico, then requested assistance from the Homeland Security Investigations Division of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Aurora police.
Authorities said they seized more than three kilograms of cocaine, three vehicles, a handgun and about $415,000 during the investigation.
Aurora police seized about $190,000 of the money from Jose J. Martinez on Oct. 18 during a traffic stop, but Martinez has not been charged with any offenses related to the investigation, Backus said. Martinez and his brother Jesus protested the seizure of money in Kane County court Wednesday, but a judge ruled Aurora police had probable cause to take the currency.
“We are confident in our investigation, the actions of our officers and the future successful prosecution of these subjects,” Backus said in a statement.
The narcotics task force is reviewing charges on other individuals and expects to make more arrests, authorities said.