Robert J. "Bob" Troester U.S. Attorney | U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Oklahoma
A federal jury has convicted five individuals involved in a drug trafficking conspiracy responsible for smuggling methamphetamine from Mexico to Oklahoma using semi-trucks. The convicted persons are Juan Hernandez, 49, a Mexican national residing in Oklahoma City; Jessica Muniz, 32, from Oklahoma City; and Denis Leal Gutierrez, 59, Cesar Azamar, 52, and Adrian Narvaez, 58, from Texas. They were found guilty of their roles in a drug trafficking organization (DTO) and money laundering.
U.S. Attorney Robert J. Troester said, "Coordinating their drug trafficking scheme across international borders and state lines, these defendants flooded our state with methamphetamine worth millions of dollars." The DTO was dismantled through a joint effort between various federal and state law enforcement agencies.
"This multi-year collaboration among the FBI, DEA, IRS, Oklahoma City Police Department, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office has effectively dismantled a major drug trafficking organization that had been poisoning our community with deadly narcotics for years," said FBI Oklahoma City Special Agent in Charge Doug Goodwater.
The group has been charged following a 16-count Second Superseding Indictment issued on December 17, 2024. Gutierrez, Azamar, and Narvaez faced charges of drug conspiracy, while Muniz and Hernandez were charged with various counts of money laundering.
The DTO operated by smuggling liquid methamphetamine hidden in semi-truck gas tanks, managed by trucking companies DGC Express Co. and Dare Express Co., owned by Gutierrez. Evidence indicated that the Dare Express semi-truck was used to transport methamphetamine to Oklahoma and Georgia. Significant quantities of methamphetamine were seized during the investigation, highlighting the scale of the operation.
The monetary aspect of their operation involved family members assisting in laundering drug profits through various methods, including using the CashApp.
At sentencing, Gutierrez, Azamar, and Narvaez face potential life sentences and fines of up to $10,000,000. Hernandez and Muniz, convicted on money laundering charges, could receive up to 20 years in prison each and fines up to $500,000 per charge.
So far, two other defendants have been sentenced, and eleven have pleaded guilty. These efforts are part of Operation Take Back America, aiming to eliminate transnational criminal organizations and reduce violent crime.
For further details, refer to relevant public filings.
