The U.S. Attorney for Nebraska announced Friday 13 people have been accused in a federal indictment of conspiring with a Mexican drug cartel to deal methamphetamine in Omaha, including the owner of an auto dealership.
U.S. Attorney Deborah Gilg said 12 of those indicted have been arrested or were already behind bars for other offenses. She said six are in the U.S. illegally.
The indictments were announced the same day that officers from eight different law enforcement agencies in eastern Nebraska and western Iowa executed search warrants in the case, including one at Gomez Auto Sales at 41st and Harrison. Gilg said authorities seized 30 cars from the lot, believed to be a front for the drug ring, along with $110,000 in cash.
It all started with a traffic stop at the Nebraska-Kansas border last month. That arrest led agents and police to 26 pounds of methamphetamine worth an estimated $1 million.
“We will continue to work hard to aggressively pursue drug dealers in our community that prey upon our youth,” said Gilg. “We all know there is a strong link between drug dealing, guns and violence."
If convicted, those indicted face from 10 years to life in prison.
