The United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Colorado has announced charges against Jose Manuel Guerra-Caballero, a 37-year-old Venezuelan. He faces one count of conspiracy to distribute over 500 grams of methamphetamine and one count of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.
According to the complaint, Guerra-Caballero is alleged to be part of the Tren de Aragua criminal organization. He reportedly conspired with six others to provide armed protection for a drug transaction involving ten pounds of methamphetamine. The protection was arranged remotely by Guerra-Caballero, who confirmed via phone that his associates were armed and prepared for the operation.
The drug deal was actually an undercover operation set up by ATF agents after Guerra-Caballero and his associates had offered their services for illegal activities. This sting followed several firearms purchases by undercover officers that Guerra-Caballero believed would be trafficked to Mexico.
Guerra-Caballero was arrested in Indiana and appeared before Judge Colin H. Lindsay in the Western District of Kentucky.
The investigation is being conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and Homeland Security Investigations. The case is prosecuted by the Violent Crimes and Immigration Enforcement Section of the United States Attorney’s Office in Colorado.
