Feds disrupt scheme hiding cocaine in elevator shaft parts

[JerryB]

Feds disrupt scheme hiding cocaine in elevator shaft parts
By John Diedrich of the Journal Sentinel
Nov. 27, 2015

Federal agents have disrupted a drug-dealing operation that was bringing dozens of kilograms of cocaine into Milwaukee, hidden inside metal elevator shaft parts and delivered by semitrailer trucks to a warehouse on the city's northwest side, according to court documents.

Each load was 20 to 60 kilograms — or 44 to 130 pounds — of cocaine, sealed in the elevator parts coming from California. It took a metal-cutting torch to get out the drugs. The cocaine was stashed at businesses on the south side and sold.

Two men were charged this month after agents found more than 30 pounds of cocaine in a trunk of their car, a criminal complaint says.

Gilberto Hernandez-Ordunez and Alfredo Romo are in this country illegally from Mexico, records show. If convicted, they face at least 10 years in prison and up to life.

Federal law presumes any defendants facing that much time will be detained in jail prior to trial, but Hernandez-Ordunez was released this week by U.S. Magistrate Judge William Duffin, who found he was not a danger to the community or a flight risk. Romo remains locked up but his attorney may seek his release next month.

Hernandez-Ordunez, who works as a painter, has been in the U.S. illegally from Mexico for 13 years, according to his attorney, Edward Hunt.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Bridget Domaszek argued in court to keep Hernandez-Ordunez locked up, noting the strength of the case against him, the long prison term he faces and his deep ties to Mexico.

Hernandez-Ordunez was detained at one time by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement for being in the country illegally but received a deferred prosecution, according to Domaszek. It was unclear when that happened.

Under the terms of the deal, Hernandez-Ordunez reports regularly to ICE agents, but there has been no effort to deport him, Hunt said. Domaszek contacted ICE and said she was told it was unlikely the agency would do anything to Hernandez-Ordunez unless he was convicted.

A spokeswoman from ICE said this week she was not able to comment.

Hunt said his client was not a flight risk and because of his connections to Milwaukee has every reason to fight the charges. Referring to the charges, Hunt said Hernandez-Ordunez was in the "wrong place at the wrong time with the wrong people."

The federal probation office in Milwaukee recommended that Hernandez-Ordunez be released.

While the presumption is for detention in drug cases with such long sentences, judges have the discretion to release defendants after weighing the danger to the community and potential flight risk.

Duffin said he didn't find that Hernandez-Ordunez posed a danger but said it was a closer call as to whether he was a flight risk. He said the government has a strong case against him, but he decided to release him based on his background and his lack of a serious criminal history.

Hernandez-Ordunez was not required to post any cash or collateral and will not be on electronic monitoring, though he will be under the supervision of federal probation agents. Duffin said if there are violations he would revisit his decision.

Case built on informants

The case against Hernandez-Ordunez, 34, and Romo, 47, began with information from informants, according to the criminal complaint.

They identified a 32-year-old south side gym operator as the main dealer, working with Romo to bring in the large shipments. That man has not been charged. The unnamed informants are helping agents in hopes of getting a break on their own drug cases, according to the complaint.

The gym operated by the man identified as the main dealer was robbed of kilograms of cocaine, a source said. Romo, who also goes by the name "David Mondragon," owns an auto body shop on W. National Ave. where authorities say he stored and distributed the drugs.

The cocaine came to from LeBrea, Calif., on semitrailer trucks to a warehouse near N. 107th St. and W. Brown Deer Road, the complaint says. After the cocaine was broken down and sold, the cash from sales was returned to the warehouse and sealed back into elevator parts and returned to California.

On Nov. 19, U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration agents tracked Romo and Hernandez-Ordunez with a GPS device on a Pontiac G6 to the warehouse. Agents watched as the elevator parts were unloaded and the pair went to Menard's to get welding equipment and work inside the warehouse. After they backed up the Pontiac, agents moved in.

They asked if anything was in the car. Romo said there was nothing and "go look if you want."

They did and found the 15 kilograms of cocaine hidden in the trunk.

Prosecutors expect to present the case to a grand jury Tuesday.

http://www.jsonline.com/news/crime/feds ... 39631.html