17 Arrested in Austin Drug Cartel Bust

AUSTIN, TX (myFOXaustin) - The Austin Police Department and 12 other local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies announced Monday they have wrapped up a long term investigation into a local drug ring with ties to the Gulf Cartel.

A total of 17 people have been arrested and three others have indictments pending for their alleged involvement with the Mexican drug organization.

Operation Kumbaya concluded Friday after six years of investigation. Law enforcement agencies conducted 13 search operations on Feb. 3 and 4th. During the sting, officers seized approximately 14 kilograms of cocaine, several pounds of marijuana, 16 firearms, and between $350,000 to $400,000 in money and other assets. The operation was code named Kumbaya because of the way the 13 law enforcement agencies worked together during the investigation.

Police say the cell operating in the Austin-area served as a distribution hub for drugs going into the United States and money going back to Mexico. The Gulf Cartel is one of the largest drug operations in Mexico and is responsible for much of the violence along the U.S.-Mexican border.

A full list of the law enforcement agencies involved in Operation Kumbaya:
Austin Police Department
Bastrop County Sheriffs Office
Drug Enforcement Agency
Department of Public Safety
Federal Bureau of Investigation
Hays County Sheriffs Office
IRS-Criminal Investigation Division
ICE
Pflugerville Police Department
Round Rock Police Department
Travis County Sheriffs Office
United States Attorneys Office
Williamson County Sheriffs Office

A full list of the 17 people arrested:
Samuel Roman
Laura Chavez
George Martinez
Nicholas Cantu, Jr.
Eleuterio Vargas Trujillo
Michael Mendez
Aron Moore
Omar Diego Valdez
Roy Rodriguez, Jr.
Roy Rodriguez, Sr.
Benny Ochoa, Jr.
Larry Marshall
Jose Luis Ocanas
Maribel Ocanas
Veronica Avila
Rodney Johnson
Eden Vargas