NEWS RELEASE
For Immediate Release
March 21, 2009
Contact: Michele Nicholson
Public Information Officer
(850) 651-7420
OCSO SEIZES 20 KILOS COCAINE IN TWO DAYS
Four
people have been arrested and twenty kilograms of cocaine seized in connection
with two separate drug investigations over a two day period this week.
In
the first incident on March 18th, the Okaloosa County Multi-Agency Drug Task
Force, agents of the Drug Enforcement Administration, Florida Department of Law
Enforcement, and Okaloosa deputies received information that Abraham Alvarez and
Gabriel Beltran were in Okaloosa County with multiple kilos of cocaine. During
the course of their investigation, Police K-9 "Septon" alerted on the suspect's
vehicle and an attached vehicle tow dolly during a walk around. A search turned
up four kilograms of suspected cocaine from the tow dolly. Investigators say
their investigation determined the pair had previously delivered similar large
amounts of cocaine to Okaloosa County on several occasions in the past.
39-year old Gabriel Beltran, 633 Ruckel Drive,
Defuniak Springs and 32-year old Abraham Alvarez,
207 South Brett Street, Crestview are both charged with trafficking in
cocaine in excess of 400 grams and conspiracy to traffic in cocaine.
In a
second incident March 19th, Deputy Sterling Eslinger and K-9 "Turbeaux"
made a traffic stop on a vehicle that ran a stop sign at the intersection
of Bob Sikes Boulevard and Navy Street. K-9 "Turbeaux" alerted on the car and a
subsequent search turned up eight kilograms of powder cocaine. An additional
check at the Sheriff's Office revealed yet another eight kilos of cocaine in the
car. 31-year old Jesus Gonzales Maya of 312 Woodham Court, Fort Walton Beach is
charged with trafficking over 400 grams of cocaine.
The Okaloosa County Multi-Agency Drug Task Force then obtained and
executed a search warrant at Maya's townhome. Inside they found drug
paraphernalia indicative of drug distribution including a kilogram press,
packaging materials, cutting agents, and weighing scales. A large sum money,
believed to be proceeds from illegal drug distribution, was also found in a
bedroom.
In addition to Maya's arrest, investigators also charged his live-in
girlfriend, 33-year old Patricia Epinoza Aguire, with possession of cocaine and
possession of drug paraphernalia.
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