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DEA says Culiacán family is top heroin ring in Tucson
The Arizona Daily Star ^ | 11.03.2005 | Kim Smith and Michael Marizco

Posted on 11/03/2005 7:34:01 AM PST by Borax Queen

The Magaña Lopez family is the most significant heroin-smuggling ring in Tucson, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration said.

The Culiacán, Sinaloa, family first surfaced in 1998 when a brother to those arrested Wednesday was arrested on heroin charges, said Anthony J. Coulson, assistant special-agent-in-charge for the DEA's Tucson office.

The family moved 5 to 10 pounds of Mexican black-tar and powder heroin through Tucson every month, Coulson said.

Jorge Luis Magaña Lopez was arrested in Tucson in April 1998 with 1 1/2 pounds of heroin. According to his plea agreement filed in U.S. District Court, a man he was working with led a police informant to the car he was sitting in. Jorge Magaña took the informant's cash and told him to remove the heroin from the car's gas tank.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Prisons, Jorge Magaña is serving a 10-year sentence for selling heroin, with a projected release date of January 2007.

His brother, Oscar Magaña Lopez, 38, was first arrested in October 2004 on drug and weapons charges, posted a $20,000 bail and then failed to appear in court for his arraignment on Nov. 9, 2004. A warrant was immediately issued for his arrest and he was taken into custody this Sept. 27, according to Pima County Superior Court records.

He faces two charges - possession of a narcotic drug for sale and possession of a deadly weapon by a prohibited possessor.

After his arrest in October 2004, his estranged wife told authorities that Magaña travels back and forth between Tucson and Mexico, and when he goes to Mexico he stays two to three weeks at a time.

Magaña told authorities he lives with his wife when he's in the United States, but she said he does not.

When arrested in September, Magaña told Pretrial Services his permanent address is in Culiacán, Sinaloa.

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials believe Magaña doesn't have legal authorization to be in the United States and have placed an immigration hold on him, court records show.

The DEA is not aware of any other family members involved in heroin smuggling, Coulson said.


TOPICS: Constitution/Conservatism; Crime/Corruption; Culture/Society; Foreign Affairs; Government; News/Current Events; US: Arizona
KEYWORDS: aliens; borders; drugs; drugtrafficking; illegalaliens; immigration; smugglers

1 posted on 11/03/2005 7:34:02 AM PST by Borax Queen
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To: B4Ranch; nicmarlo; investigateworld; janetgreen; HiJinx; Youngman442002; DumpsterDiver
After his arrest in October 2004, his estranged wife told authorities that Magaña travels back and forth between Tucson and Mexico, and when he goes to Mexico he stays two to three weeks at a time.

Magaña told authorities he lives with his wife when he's in the United States, but she said he does not.

When arrested in September, Magaña told Pretrial Services his permanent address is in Culiacán, Sinaloa.

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials believe Magaña doesn't have legal authorization to be in the United States and have placed an immigration hold on him, court records show.

2 posted on 11/03/2005 7:36:08 AM PST by Borax Queen
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To: Borax Queen

Mantra: Illegals just want jobs no Americans want to do.


3 posted on 11/03/2005 7:46:51 AM PST by nicmarlo
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To: Borax Queen

Yet another wonderful illegal doing the jobs most Americans just won't do. Enough of that crap.


4 posted on 11/03/2005 7:53:09 AM PST by zerosix (Native Sunflower)
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To: Borax Queen

"The DEA is not aware of any other family members involved in heroin smuggling, Coulson said."


Well, I'll buy it that they are unaware........the whole damn government pleads unawareness!!


5 posted on 11/03/2005 9:42:23 PM PST by calrighty (C'mon troops, finish em off!!)
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To: nicmarlo

BUSH : " We need to arrange jobs for willing employees, with willing employers. ............PUKEMAO


6 posted on 11/03/2005 9:44:11 PM PST by calrighty (C'mon troops, finish em off!!)
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To: calrighty

LOL. They are only aware of what meds we buy, which of our homes they want to seize for commercial use, what's in our shoes when we fly, how many guns they think we own, but when it comes to illegal activity by foreign invaders, they feign innocence.


7 posted on 11/04/2005 5:32:11 AM PST by Borax Queen
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To: Borax Queen

"They are only aware of what meds we buy, which of our homes they want to seize for commercial use, what's in our shoes when we fly, how many guns they think we own, but when it comes to illegal activity by foreign invaders, they feign innocence."

Perfect : ) Suitable quote for framing!



8 posted on 11/04/2005 7:04:36 AM PST by calrighty (C'mon troops, finish em off!!)
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