Six individuals have been charged in connection with an alleged drug smuggling operation that reportedly used a commercial charter bus to transport liquid methamphetamine from Mexico to Emporia, Kansas. According to court documents, the defendants are accused of possession with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine.
The individuals charged include Omar Villa Carranza, Tiburcio Ayala Rangel, Troy Wagaman, Jesus Cruz Rodriguez, Moises Cervantes Sanchez, and Elizabeth Benitez. All are residents of Emporia except for Cervantes Sanchez, who is from McAllen, Texas.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) observed a charter bus making multiple crossings into the United States from Mexico between March and April 2025. The bus was noted for carrying few or no passengers and traveling to Emporia before returning to Mexico. During one inspection at the border on May 4, 2025, CBP officers discovered aftermarket anomalies on the bus and found liquid methamphetamine in the gas tank after a canine alerted them to controlled substances.
Following this discovery, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) agents tracked the bus to a rural property in Emporia where several arrests were made by the Emporia Police Department. Villa Carranza, Cruz Rodriguez, Cervantes Sanchez, Ayala Rangel were arrested either at the property or shortly after leaving it. Benitez was apprehended at another location.
The investigation is being conducted by HSI along with the Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI) and the Emporia Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Trent Krug and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Taylor Hines are handling prosecution duties.
This case is part of Operation Take Back America aimed at combating illegal immigration and transnational criminal organizations while protecting communities from violent crime perpetrators through coordinated efforts by various law enforcement agencies.
An indictment serves as an allegation; all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in court.
