Homeland Security Task Force Investigation Leads to Indictment of 24 in Sinaloa Cartel-Linked Drug Trafficking Conspiracy

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - Twenty-four individuals have been charged in a federal indictment for their alleged roles in a Sinaloa Cartel-linked drug trafficking organization that distributed large quantities of methamphetamine, fentanyl, cocaine and other drugs throughout Middle Tennessee, announced United States Attorney Braden H. Boucek for the Middle District of Tennessee.

"The allegations in this case are staggering. A drug trafficking organization with direct ties to the Sinaloa Cartel allegedly moved massive quantities of deadly drugs into our communities, with two of its leaders directing operations from inside Tennessee prisons," said United States Attorney Braden H. Boucek. "The Homeland Security Task Force brings together the full strength of our federal, state, and local law enforcement partners to dismantle these criminal networks at every level. Let this indictment send a clear message: prison walls and international borders will not shield those who traffic deadly drugs into Middle Tennessee from federal prosecution."

Court documents further allege that the organization conspired to distribute hundreds of kilograms of methamphetamine, fentanyl and cocaine while laundering millions of dollars in drug proceeds through financial transactions and bulk cash smuggling to individuals in Mexico responsible for supplying narcotics throughout the United States.

"These are not simply drugs being taken off the street, these are dangerous criminal networks being disrupted, resources being taken away from traffickers, and communities being protected," said Special Agent in Charge Terence G. Reilly of the FBI Nashville Field Office. "This indictment is a result of the efforts of the Nashville Homeland Security Task Force which uses a whole-of-government approach, and represents the power of partnership, combining federal, state, and local partners to investigate criminal activity, share intelligence, and hold those responsible accountable. Today's charges demonstrate that this coordinated strategy is working and our message is clear: justice will find you."

The investigation resulted in the seizure of more than approximately 500 kilograms of methamphetamine, 20 kilograms of fentanyl, 60 kilograms of cocaine, more than $375,000 in cash, multiple firearms and five vehicles. According to court documents, two high-ranking members of the organization allegedly controlled its operations while being incarcerated in Tennessee state prisons.

"This Homeland Security Task Force investigation highlights the power of coordinated law enforcement partnerships," said HSI Nashville Special Agent in Charge Dennis M. Fetting. "By combining expertise, intelligence and resources, we will continue to disrupt transnational criminal organizations and remove dangerous drugs, weapons and criminals from our communities. These investigations require hundreds of hours of dedicated work, and HSI remains committed to protecting communities throughout Tennessee and the nation."

The thirty-three-count indictment, returned by a federal grand jury in Nashville on October 21, 2026, and unsealed on October 27, 2026, charges all 24 defendants with conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine, 400 grams or more of fentanyl, five kilograms or more of cocaine, and quantities of heroin and marijuana. The indictment also includes individual drug trafficking charges and firearm offenses against nine defendants.

"This case highlights the complex and far-reaching nature of transnational organized crime, and the critical importance IRS Criminal Investigation has of following the money to dismantle these criminal enterprises," said Assistant Special Agent in Charge Richard Nelson, IRS Criminal Investigation's Charlotte Field Office. "Through the coordinated efforts of our law enforcement partners, investigators uncovered a network responsible for trafficking significant quantities of illegal drugs while generating substantial illicit proceeds. By targeting both the organization's drug trafficking activities and its financial infrastructure, we are striking at the core of a criminal enterprise posing a serious threat to communities throughout Tennessee and across the nation."

According to court documents, the organization operated under the direction of individuals in Mexico and elsewhere known as "the Office," who allegedly coordinated drug trafficking activities in the United States on behalf of the Sinaloa Cartel. Humberto Morales, 34, and Jose Martin Perez, 30, both incarcerated in Tennessee Department of Correction facilities on unrelated convictions, allegedly served as high-ranking members who assisted with coordinating and controlling the organization's operations in the Middle District of Tennessee and elsewhere.

"The U.S. Postal Inspection Service is dedicated to ensuring the U.S. Mails are not used as a means to distribute deadly narcotics," stated Rodney Hopkins, Inspector in Charge of the Atlanta Division of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service. "These indictments demonstrate the resolve of Postal Inspectors and our law enforcement partners to bring those who engage in illegal activity to justice."

The organization relied almost exclusively on Signal, an encrypted messaging application, to coordinate drug transactions and avoid law enforcement detection. Customers placed orders through the Office or its representatives, often Morales or Perez, who negotiated prices and arranged delivery locations. The Office then coordinated with couriers and individuals overseeing drug stash houses to facilitate delivery.

"The Rutherford County Sheriff's Office thanks all agencies and personnel involved in this investigation for their professionalism, cooperation, and trust throughout the process," said Sheriff Kenneth Barrett. "Over the past year, this case required extensive coordination, communication, and collaboration among multiple agencies across the state. Our agency was proud to play a role in that effort. Public safety does not stop at county lines, city limits, or jurisdictional boundaries. Our responsibility extends beyond our own communities to the communities we serve alongside. When agencies work together, share information, and support one another, we make our communities safer."

To evade detection, the DTO rotated couriers and vehicles, used vehicles registered to other individuals, exchanged license plates and frequently changed vehicle ownership. When law enforcement encountered or arrested a member, other participants allegedly moved quickly to relocate drugs, firearms and cash from stash houses before officers could take further action.

"It should not be lost on any of us that this investigation resulted in the seizure of a massive amount of drugs, including more than a half ton of meth along with lesser quantities of cocaine and fentanyl, primarily from locations in Davidson County," said Nashville Police Chief John Drake. "The detectives, agents and deputies working this case no doubt saved lives as a result of these seizures, spared families from heartache, and enabled drug operatives to be held accountable."

Sixteen defendants are currently incarcerated in state custody on unrelated charges and will be brought before the federal court in connection with this case. The government is seeking pretrial detention of all 24 defendants, citing danger to the community, risk of flight and potential obstruction of justice.

If convicted, Humberto Morales faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 25 years and up to life in federal prison. Each of the remaining 23 defendants faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years and up to life in prison.

Nine defendants-Chason Lipscomb, David Joseph Kelsey, Hector Alexis Rodriguez Sanchez, Jose Pablo Gachuz-Zamora, Jose Antonio Araujo-Rivas, Jesus Alberto Vazquez Rodriguez, Jose Antonio Olivas-Avila, Magdiel Pina Ramirez and Jose Cano Alonso-also face firearm charges carrying an additional mandatory minimum sentence of five years in prison, which must run consecutively to any other sentence imposed.

A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other applicable statutory factors.

The following individuals are charged in the indictment:

1. Humberto Morales, a/k/a "Pelon," "Homie," "Big Homie," "Jefe," 34

2. Jose Martin Perez, a/k/a "JR," "Junior," 30

3. Magdiel Pina Ramirez, a/k/a "Big Show," "Menique," "Moises Rojas Rodriguez," 33

4. Chason Lipscomb, a/k/a "Kilo," 29

5. Roger Dale Floyd, a/k/a "Crow," 65

6. Eric Colon, 36

7. David Joseph Kelsey, 48

8. Hector Alexis Rodriguez Sanchez, a/k/a "Toly," 27

9. Jose Pablo Gachuz-Zamora, 36

10. Jose Antonio Araujo-Rivas, 32

11. Montay Batey, 27

12. Monterrey Batey, 34

13. Danielle Nuno, 32

14. Tynerick D. Turner, 26

15. Reginald Dante Samuels, 37

16. Jesus Alberto Vazquez Rodriguez, 35

17. Jose Cano Alonso, a/k/a "Heriberto Alonso Sanchez," 42

18. Geovany Jose Rapalo Hernandez, 43

19. Jose Antonio Olivas-Avila, 22

20. Juan Ramon Padilla-Torres, 40

21. Johnny Mason, 33

22. Quanshala Harper, 30

23. Cesar Carrillo Polina, 23

24. Hannah Ireland Thornton, 24

The investigation involved the FBI; Drug Enforcement Administration; IRS Criminal Investigation; U.S. Postal Inspection Service; Homeland Security Investigations; U.S. Secret Service; Tennessee Bureau of Investigation; Tennessee Highway Patrol; Tennessee Department of Correction; Putnam, Rutherford, Wilson and Warren County Sheriff's Offices; Metropolitan Nashville Police Department; and Gwinnett County Sheriff's Office in Georgia.

This prosecution is part of the Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) initiative established by Executive Order 14159, Protecting the American People Against Invasion. The HSTF is a whole-of-government partnership dedicated to eliminating criminal cartels, foreign gangs, transnational criminal organizations, and human smuggling and trafficking rings operating in the United States and abroad. Through historic interagency collaboration, the HSTF directs the full might of United States law enforcement towards identifying, investigating, and prosecuting the full spectrum of crimes committed by these organizations, which have long fueled violence and instability within our borders. In performing this work, the HSTF places special emphasis on investigating and prosecuting those engaged in child trafficking or other crimes involving children. The HSTF further utilizes all available tools to prosecute and remove the most violent criminal aliens from the United States. HSTF [Enter HSTF Name (City)] comprises agents and officers from [insert confirmed list of all task force agencies] with the prosecution being led by the United States Attorney's Office for the Middle District of Tennessee.

An indictment is merely an accusation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

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