By Staff
Staff Reports, Hartselle Enquirer
An Eva man is among 12 people included in indictments unsealed last week, alleging the group conspired to sell cocaine, marijuana and methamphetamines brought in from California.
Hilario Billerla, 33, of Eva, is included in the indictments, which occurred after what officials described as a nine-month investigation into the alleged drug ring.
According to U.S. Attorney Alice Martin, the indictment charges that the 12 conspired from June 2003 to March 2004 to purchase and sell more than 11 pounds of cocaine, more than 2,200 pounds of marijuana and 500 grams of methamphetamines. Officials said the drug ring also included those from Cullman, Jefferson and Shelby counties.
Also named in the indictment were Fernando Castaneda, 31 ; Manuel Alcazar Jimenez, no age available; Alfredo Queveco Rios, 37; Jesus Alberto Jacobs, 37 ;
Alfonso Montano, 25; Eviberto Mora, 34; Dennis Copelin,
36; Kenneth Rice, 29; Jose Lopez Hernandez, 34; Ramonita Rodriguez Cruz, 38; and Sonya Veronica Rameriz, 34.
In connection with the indictments, agents executed 20 search warrants on April 9 in Chilton, Cullman, Jefferson counties. Agents seized one kilogram of cocaine, 80 pounds of marijuana, $80,000 and 25 guns.
Four more people, all from Shelby County, were arrested following the searches.
Arrested following the raids were Felix Quintana, 31, Jose Adalberto Flores, 21, Silvestre More, 24, and Gonzalo Quevdo Rios, 23.
The maximum sentence for conspiracy to possess the controlled substances mentioned in the indictment is not less than ten years and no more than life and a $4 million fine.