Several Illegal Aliens Indicted in Connection With Baltimore-Area Drug Investigation

Baltimore, Maryland - The U.S. Attorney's Office announced today, that six aliens unlawfully in the United States face indictment, stemming from a local drug investigation. The illegal aliens, along with a seventh defendant, are charged with several crimes in connection with a drug trafficking organization (DTO) operating in the Baltimore metropolitan area.

Pablo Aberlardo Molina, 35, of Honduras; German Dario Aguilar Mencias, 20, of Honduras; Santos Ayala Serrano, 27, of Honduras; Hamilton Estuardo Cha Pacay, 24, of Guatemala; Brayan Juarez Cruz, 30, of Honduras; Benjamin Rivas Lopez, 39, of Honduras; and Gerson Alex Tabora-Chinchilla, 31, of Honduras; made their initial appearances to face the charges.

Kelly O. Hayes, U.S. Attorney for the District of Maryland, announced the indictment with Special Agent in Charge Christopher C. Goumenis, Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) - Washington Division, and Chief Robert McCullough, Baltimore County Police Department (BCPD).

According to the indictment, beginning in March 2025, and continuing into October 2025, the DTO members conspired to distribute five kilograms or more of a cocaine mixture along with 280 grams or more of a cocaine-base mixture. They are all charged with conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute controlled substances.

Additionally, Molina, Serrano, Cruz, and Rivas Lopez are charged with one count of possession with intent to distribute cocaine, while Aguilar Mencias, Cha Pacay, andChinchilla are charged with two counts of possession with intent to distribute cocaine. Aguilar Mencias and Cha Pacay are also charged with possession of a firearm by a prohibited person; and Aguilar Mencias, Cha Pacay, andChinchilla are charged with conspiracy to possess a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.

An indictment is not a finding of guilt. Individuals charged by indictment are presumed innocent until proven guilty at a later criminal proceeding.

If convicted, the co-conspirators face a minimum mandatory of 10 years imprisonment to life imprisonment for conspiring and possessing with intent to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine or 280 grams or more of cocaine base (counts one and two), and a maximum of 20 years for possession with intent to distribute cocaine (counts three and four); a maximum of 15 years for possession of a firearm by a prohibited person (count five); and a maximum of 20 years for conspiracy to possess firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime (count six).

Actual sentences for federal crimes are typically less than the maximum penalties. A federal district court judge determines sentencing after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.

U.S. Attorney Hayes commended the DEA and BCPD for their work in the investigation, along with the Baltimore City State's Attorney's Office and Baltimore County State's Attorney's Office, for their valuable assistance. Ms. Hayes also thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney LaRai Everett and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Kathleen Godwin who are prosecuting the federal case.

For more information about the Maryland U.S. Attorney's Office, its priorities, and resources available to help the community, visit justice.gov/usao-md.

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