Federal charges have been filed against 23 individuals in Lubbock, Texas, accused of trafficking methamphetamine and fentanyl. The announcement was made by Chad E. Meacham, Acting U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Texas. The defendants were apprehended on March 26, and initial court appearances began shortly afterwards before U.S. Magistrate Judge Amanda ‘Amy’ R. Burch.
The investigation, initiated in March 2023, led to the seizure of over 43 kilograms of methamphetamine, 285.4 grams of fentanyl equivalent to approximately 1,902 pills, 335.5 grams of cocaine, 2,296.7 grams of marijuana, and six firearms. Notably, the fentanyl seized is equivalent to an estimated 21,662 lethal doses.
The individuals facing charges include Vida Tamor Overstreet, Patrick Wayne Frazier, Juantay Dewayne Frazier, David Wayne Frazier, Santiago Daniel Baltazar, Walter Wood, Santos Moncada, Jessie Franco, and several others. Their charges range from conspiracy to distribute controlled substances to possession with intent to distribute and unlawful use of communication facilities.
R. Joseph Rothrock, Dallas FBI Special Agent in Charge, emphasized the cooperation of various law enforcement levels, leading to the disruption of the drug trafficking organization. "These arrests will have a considerable impact on the distribution of methamphetamine in the greater-Lubbock area," Rothrock stated.
Eduardo A. Chavez, Special Agent in Charge of the DEA, remarked on the operation's significance. "This operation sends a clear message that we will not tolerate the flow of illegal drugs into our neighborhoods."
All defendants face the presumption of innocence until proven guilty in court, and some may face sentences up to life in federal prison if convicted.
The case involves collaboration between multiple law enforcement bodies, including the FBI’s Dallas Field Office, the Texas Department of Public Safety, the DEA's Dallas Field Office, and local police departments. The cases are being prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Texas.
The prosecution is part of the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF), a program aimed at identifying and dismantling high-level drug traffickers. Additionally, it forms part of Operation Take Back America, an initiative utilizing the Department of Justice's resources to combat drug trafficking and violent crime.