New Details Revealed as Court Proceedings Start After Emporia Drug Bust

An investigation spanning several months has led to the arrest of six individuals involved in a drug smuggling operation in Emporia.

These defendants face federal charges for their roles in trafficking large quantities of methamphetamine. Their charges stem from an extensive investigation conducted by multiple law enforcement agencies.

Defendants Involved in the Case

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The individuals arrested and charged in connection with the operation are:

1. Omar Villa Carranza, 45, a Mexican national unlawfully residing in Emporia.
2. Tiburcio Ayala Rangel, 42, a Mexican national unlawfully residing in Emporia.
3. Troy Wagaman, 42, of Emporia.
4. Jesus Cruz Rodriguez, 28, of Emporia.
5. Moises Cervantes Sanchez, 67, of McAllen, Texas.
6. Elizabeth Benitez, 33, of Emporia.

All six have appeared in U.S. District Court to answer federal charges. Following the initial hearings, the court unsealed the complaint, providing further insights into the investigation.

Timeline of the Investigation

The Initial Investigation

The investigation began on January 28 when a confidential informant (CI) first contacted Manuel Cuellar-Amezquita about purchasing methamphetamine.

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Over several months, multiple transactions occurred, including the purchase of approximately 9.8 pounds of meth.

• On March 17, the CI, working with an undercover agent, purchased 15 grams of meth.
• On March 28, a further purchase of meth was arranged at a grocery store in Kansas City. During this transaction, Jorge Garcia-Cuellar, Cuellar-Amezquita’s nephew, delivered the drugs. Authorities arrested Uriel Balderas, who was supposed to deliver meth to Emporia. Information from his phone revealed his destination as 867 W. Fifth St. in Emporia.

Further Investigation Leads to Emporia

By analyzing records from U.S. Customs and Border Patrol (CBP), officials identified suspicious van trips between Mexico and Emporia.

The van was found to have been tampered with in an effort to conceal a hidden compartment. Authorities also placed a GPS tracking device on the vehicle to monitor its movements.

The Role of Troy Wagaman

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Law enforcement connected Troy Wagaman to the investigation when a confidential source reported strange activities at his residence.

The source provided evidence of drug paraphernalia and unusual behavior linked to Wagaman. On April 29, Wagaman was arrested after being stopped for speeding. Authorities found 11 grams of cocaine on his person.

Arrests and Discovery of Drugs

On May 3, the van carrying methamphetamine crossed the Texas border into Emporia. After a second inspection, authorities discovered liquid meth in the vehicle and followed its route to Wagaman’s residence.

The search of the residence uncovered a methamphetamine conversion lab, 75 firearms, and about 88 to 96 gallons of liquid methamphetamine hidden inside a gas tank. Additionally, 130 pounds of finished meth were found at 867 W. Fifth St..

Arrest Statements

Each arrested individual gave varying statements when interrogated:

• Villa-Carranza denied knowledge of any illegal activities but was found with over $3,500 in cash.
• Cruz-Rodriguez also claimed to be a “mechanic” but admitted to having worked on the bus before.
• Cervantes Sanchez, a bus driver, confirmed transporting the vehicle to Emporia for payment.
• Ayala-Rangel admitted to selling cocaine to Wagaman and assisting with the conversion process.
• Wagaman confessed to renting part of his property to store drugs but was upset about not being paid for subsequent trips.
• Benitez, found with methamphetamine and $1,300 in cash, stated that she had been living at the residence and had purchased phones for the group.

Court Hearings and Next Steps

Following their arrests, the defendants underwent detention hearings on May 12, where the court decided to keep all but Benitez in custody without bond.

Their preliminary hearings are scheduled for May 21, and a status conference will take place on June 2.

The ongoing court proceedings mark a critical step in addressing a significant drug trafficking operation in Emporia.

The investigation, which involved multiple law enforcement agencies, has led to the identification and arrest of six individuals tied to methamphetamine smuggling.

Their charges reflect the serious nature of their involvement, and the investigation continues as more details emerge.