BAY CITY, Mich. – Seven more people have been arrested in connection with a scheme to bring drugs from Mexico into the country and sell them in Michigan, officials said.
Five people were previously charged March 25 for conspiring to distribute kilogram quantities of cocaine and heroin that was brought into the United States from Mexico, according to federal officials. All five were indicted last month for their role in the scheme, according to authorities.
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On Thursday (May 5), seven additional people were arraigned in this case, U.S. Attorney Dawn Ison said.
Six people were named in the first superseding indictment: Adam Juan Rosas, 35, of Saginaw; Michael Allan Pratt, 51, of Saginaw; Charles Ellis Parks, 51, of Bridgeport Township; Jarquaze Anthony Townsend, 32, of Saginaw; Teyana Lhajuan Frills, 29, of Saginaw; and Antwon Georgedon Shivers, 36, of Saginaw.
The indictment accuses this group of conspiring to possess with the intent to distribute cocaine. They’re also charged with using telephones in facilitating the conspiracy, officials said.
Cecil Peoples, 54, was arrested for possession with intent to distribute cocaine and weapons charges, according to authorities.
All seven people were taken into custody and arraigned at federal court Thursday in Bay City.
“With these arrests, a major drug distribution organization has been dismantled,” Ison said. “I’d like to thank the entire law enforcement team that worked so hard on this case. This case demonstrates cooperation and teamwork at its best.”
FBI agents executed several search warrants at spots around Southeast Michigan and Mid-Michigan, they said.
“The FBI is proud to work in close partnership with each of the federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies involved in the execution of today’s arrests and search warrants,” said James A. Tarasca, special agent in charge of the FBI in Michigan. “An operation of this scale goes a long way towards making our neighborhoods safer from violent gangs trafficking narcotics.”