Homeland Security Task Force investigation leads to additional narcotics seizures, current total of more than 700 pounds of suspected cocaine with street value of $5.8 million

CINCINNATI – Ongoing investigation stemming from the arrest earlier this week of two Southwest Ohio relatives has led investigators to taking an additional 244 kilograms of suspected cocaine from the alleged drug traffickers. Damian Galan, 31, of Cincinnati, and Diego Galan, 19, of Fairfield, appeared in federal court on Monday following their weekend arrests by agents with the Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF). Their case was announced at that time and involved approximately 80 kilograms of cocaine. During subsequent searches of properties, investigators discovered an additional 244 kilograms of suspected cocaine in locations near Columbus. In total, the case thus far involves 325 kilograms, or approximately 716 pounds, of narcotics. The street value of the drugs seized is more than $5.8 million dollars. According to charging documents, the DEA Cincinnati District Office, the Cincinnati Police Department and other agencies within the Cincinnati Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) received information regarding the Galans’ potential drug trafficking throughout the Southern District of Ohio and elsewhere. Surveillance of the men, as well as additional investigation, led law enforcement officials to locations in the Columbus area on May 9. Those involved in the organization were seen traveling in tandem to locations suspected of storing narcotics and drug proceeds. The defendants then allegedly traveled to Diego’s residence in Fairfield, where they moved the four storage containers observed being placed in their vehicle. Law enforcement officials executed search warrants at both Galan residences. They discovered four kilograms of suspected cocaine and a firearm at Damian Galan’s home. The search of Diego Galan’s residence recovered the storage bins – which contained approximately 77 kilograms of suspected cocaine – along with bulk cash, firearms and suspected methamphetamine. The men were arrested in the early morning hours of May 10. They are each charged with conspiring to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute cocaine, a federal crime punishable by at least 10 years and up to life in prison. Dominick S. Gerace II, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio and members of the HSTF, including the DEA, Cincinnati Police Department, FBI, HSI and the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office’s Regional Narcotics Unit (RENU), announced the charges. Executive Assistant United States Attorney Christy L. Muncy is representing the United States in this case. This case is part of the Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) initiative established by Executive Order 14159, Protecting the American People Against Invasion. The HSTF is a whole-of-government partnership dedicated to eliminating criminal cartels, foreign gangs, transnational criminal organizations, and human smuggling and trafficking rings operating in the United States and abroad. Through historic interagency collaboration, the HSTF directs the full might of United States law enforcement towards identifying, investigating, and prosecuting the full spectrum of crimes committed by these organizations, which have long fueled violence and instability within our borders. In performing this work, the HSTF places special emphasis on investigating and prosecuting those engaged in child trafficking or other crimes involving children. The HSTF further utilizes all available tools to prosecute and remove the most violent criminal aliens from the United States. HSTF Cincinnati comprises agents and officers from federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies. A criminal complaint merely contains allegations, and defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law. # # #