Twelve Arrested in Connection with Drug Trafficking Ring

Weysan Dun, Special Agent in Charge (SAC) of the Omaha Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), announced that 12 individuals were arrested in the early morning hours today.

All of those arrested today were taken into custody at various locations in Omaha during a multi-agency operation. The joint operation is part of the Greater Omaha Safe Streets Task Force (GOSSTF) investigation targeting the Must Be Criminal (MBC) clique of the Sureños XIII street gang in Omaha, Nebraska and associated Drug Trafficking Organizations (DTO) supplying the MBC with narcotics. The individuals arrested on federal charges are:

■Guillermo Monarrez, age 25, 4015 Marcy Street, Omaha

■Yajaira Monarrez, age 19, 4015 Marcy Street, Omaha

■Miguel Diaz, age 25, 2522 Jefferson Street, Omaha

■Daniel Drews, age 20, 4830 S. 137th Street, #20, Omaha

■Alex Brablec, age 24, rested at hotel at 11601 Dodge Street, Omaha

■Jorge Flores, age 22, 1441 Madison Street, Omaha

■Israel Mendoza, age 22, 2962 Poppleton Street, Omaha

■Albert Rodrigues-Ruiz, age 26, 12130 Anne Street #7, Omaha

■David Monarrez, age 28, Omaha

The individuals arrested on state charges are:

■Amy Waits, age 35, 1702 P Street, Omaha

■Matt Salcedo, age 41, 3403 X Street, Omaha

■Roxanna Padilla, age 23, 6705 S. 83rd Street, Omaha

SAC Dun emphasized that it is important to remember that a subject is presumed innocent unless and until convicted through due process of law.

A total of 180 law enforcement officers participated in the arrests today to include the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Omaha Police Department, Nebraska State Patrol, Bellevue Police Department, LaVista Police Department, and Douglas County Sheriff’s Office.

United States Attorney Deborah R. Gilg commended those involved in today’s operation, stating, “This represents exceptional teamwork by all the agencies that participated. A significant drug trafficking ring was dismantled due to their efforts.”

SAC Weysan Dun praised today’s operation and the Greater Omaha Safe Streets Task Force. “Thanks to the cooperation of the many federal, state, and local law enforcement officers involved in this operation, today’s takedown has struck a major blow against the drugs and violence in Omaha. As a result of today’s takedown, and the accompanying seizure of drugs and firearms, the city of Omaha is a little bit safer. The arrests symbolize the FBI’s pledge to combat violent gangs by utilizing federal resources to help crackdown the drug trafficking and criminal activity in the Omaha area. This coordinated effort is but one more solid step in the process of taking back our communities and giving young people the chance to make important life changing choices, alternatives to the often short-lived gratification that membership in a gang offers.”

“The operation exemplifies what cooperation and collaboration between agencies can do to make a positive difference in our community,” said Omaha Police Chief Alex Hayes. “We will continue our efforts working together with community partners and various agencies to make Omaha safe.”