Federal prosecutors have charged twelve individuals in connection with an alleged drug trafficking operation that used unconventional methods—including a taco truck and the U.S. mail—to move and distribute methamphetamine and other narcotics throughout the Houston area. Three more suspects remain fugitives.

The 29-count indictment was unsealed May 22 following arrests in Houston. Nine defendants appeared that day in U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas, reports ICE’s news room.

The investigation, led by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Houston and the Houston Police Department, also involved assistance from the FBI, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), and the Texas Board of Criminal Justice – Office of the Inspector General.

Charged in the case are Houston residents James Michael Brewer (aka “Creeper”), 33; Jonathan Alvarado (aka “Joker”), 28; Alexis Delgado (aka “Chino”), 28; Hector Luis Lopez (aka “Capulito”), 23; Kylie Rae Alvarado, 24; Ruby Mata, 31; Victor Norris Ellison, 35; Mexi Dyan Garcia (aka “Mexi”), 31; and Jesus Gomez-Rodriguez (aka “Jr.”), 33. They were all present in court May 22 when the indictment was made public.

Enzo Xavier Dominguez (aka “Smiley”), 32; William Alexander Lazo (aka “Miclo”), 21; and Alfredo Gomez (aka “Fredo”), 26, were also named in the indictment. They are in custody and expected to appear in court soon.

Three other suspects remain at large: Jose Francisco Garcia-Martinez (aka “Paco”), 29, a Mexican national; Marcos Rene Simaj-Guch (aka “Taco Man”), 41, a Guatemalan national; and Jose Eduardo Morales (aka “Primo”), 22. Warrants have been issued for their arrest.

“For years, the transnational criminal organization allegedly operated by these gang members has brazenly flooded our local communities with deadly narcotics,” said ICE HSI Houston Special Agent in Charge Chad Plantz. “Working in conjunction with the Houston Police Department and our Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces partners, we were able to expose and dismantle their drug trafficking scheme, eliminating a significant contributor to violent crime in the area and saving an untold number of Houstonians from becoming addicted.”

The group allegedly moved methamphetamine from Mexico into the U.S. and distributed it along with cocaine, heroin, marijuana, psilocybin mushrooms, Xanax, and oxycodone. According to prosecutors, members of the group used multiple homes as stash houses and relied on both in-person deals and mail delivery to move product. The food truck was reportedly used as a cover for transactions.

“As alleged, this drug trafficking organization imported methamphetamine directly from Mexico and used the U.S. mail, a taco truck, and homes in different Houston neighborhoods to distribute and sell methamphetamine and other dangerous drugs,” said Matthew R. Galeotti of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “Several of the defendants are also alleged to have used firearms in furtherance of their narcotics trafficking and illegally possessed firearms despite having previously been convicted of felonies. The Criminal Division, along with our federal, state, and local partners, will continue to work tirelessly to combat the scourge of drug trafficking in communities.”

Authorities say that in June 2023, one defendant was caught transporting 29 kilograms of methamphetamine into the country.

While most of the accused face a potential life sentence if convicted, Simaj-Guch faces a maximum of 40 years. Brewer, Alvarado, Lopez, Gomez, and Ellison are also facing additional charges related to firearms, which could add up to 15 years to their sentences.

The indictment was returned under seal on May 14 and made public following the arrests.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Francisco Rodriguez and Trial Attorneys Ralph Paradiso and Amanda Kotula of the Criminal Division’s Violent Crime and Racketeering Section.