Two foreign nationals appeared in court on Wednesday to respond to a 12-count indictment linked to an alleged drug trafficking conspiracy and unlawful firearm possession, as reported by the Department of Justice. The defendants, Jose Luis Castillo-Alvarez, also known as "Celso Ramses Ibarra-Angulo" and "Oscar," and Kevin Omar Cruz-Lima, also known as "Kevin Omar Lima-Cruz" and "Cesar," are accused of conspiring to distribute heroin, methamphetamine, fentanyl, and cocaine from September 2024 to March 27, 2025.
Court documents indicate Castillo-Alvarez and Cruz-Lima allegedly possessed firearms, specifically an AM15 5.56x45mm semiautomatic rifle and a privately made 9x19mm semiautomatic pistol, on March 27, 2025, to facilitate drug trafficking activities. Both were unlawfully in the United States at the time, with Castillo-Alvarez having been previously deported.
The charges against each include conspiracy to distribute controlled substances, distribution of heroin, possession of firearms related to drug trafficking, and for Castillo-Alvarez, reentering the country after deportation. Cruz-Lima also faces charges for possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, heroin, fentanyl, and cocaine.
United States Magistrate Judge Youchah has scheduled a jury trial for June 30, 2025, before United States District Judge Richard F. Boulware II. If convicted, both defendants face life imprisonment.
The charges were announced by United States Attorney Sigal Chattah for the District of Nevada, Special Agent in Charge Jennifer Cicolani for the ATF, and Salt Lake City Field Office Director Michael Bernacke. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, ICE Salt Lake City, Las Vegas Sub-Office, and the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department conducted the investigation. Assistant United States Attorney Dan Cowhig and Special Assistant United States Attorney Clay Plummer are prosecuting.
The case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative aimed at combating illegal immigration and dismantling transnational criminal organizations. The operation involves resources from the Department's Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces and Project Safe Neighborhoods.
"An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law."