Oakes, ND (trfnews.i234.me) – Federal agents have dismantled a major methamphetamine trafficking operation tied to the Almighty Latin King Nation, indicting nine suspects across North Dakota, Minnesota, and South Dakota.
The takedown, dubbed Operation Crown Down, began in 2023 and led to the May 15 arrests of Ricardo “Shorty” Jaquez, 46, of Oakes, and Israel “Izzy” Flores, 45, of Audubon, MN—believed to be central figures in the operation. Agents say they imported meth from Mexico to Texas, then trafficked it into Oakes, Detroit Lakes, Turtle Mountain and White Earth Reservations, and more.
Federal wiretaps, informants, and surveillance linked them to Mexican cartel suppliers. Jaquez’s brother Jose “Cash” Jaquez, Jacob Lambert, Michelle Fuller, Ashley Marie Bleecker, Alfredo “Freddy” Hernandez Jaquez, Wesley Tolleson, and Jason Gulden were also indicted.
The defendants face life in prison, with a minimum mandatory sentence of 10 years if convicted.
I’m Chris Harper, reporting for TRF News.