Putnam County man arrested in federal drug sweep

A Cloverdale man is among the 23 people arrested across Central Indiana as part of a multi-county drug sweep spearheaded by federal agencies.

FBI agents served warrants in multiple counties, including one that led to the arrest of Alejandro Garcia.

According the U.S. District Attorney Josh J. Minkler, the 23 individuals are part of a methamphetamine dealing organization centered in southwest Indianapolis.

Thursday’s action involved the service of more than 40 warrants at various locations.

Besides the 23 arrests, the warrants also led to the seizure of more than 70 firearms along with 15 pounds of methamphetamine and other smaller quantities of cocaine, heroin and marijuana and $55,000 in cash.

Known was Operation Glass Houses, Thursday’s action were part of a larger effort by a force known as FBI Safe Streets.

Agencies involved in Operation Glass Houses include the FBI, Indianapolis Metropolitan Police, IRS-Criminal Investigation, ATF, DEA, Homeland Security Investigations, Indiana State Police, Marion County Sheriff’s Office, Marion County Prosecutor’s Office, Carmel Police, Fishers Police, Noblesville Police, Hamilton County Drug Unit, Putnam County Sheriff’s Office, Terre Haute Police, Vigo County Sheriff’s Office and the Clinton Police.

Task force members used a number of investigative techniques to uncover the conspiracies, culminating in Thursday’s action.

Locally, representatives of the Putnam County Sheriff’s Department took part in the investigative portion of the operation. Additionally, several uniformed troopers and two K-9 units from the Indiana State Police Putnamville Post assisted on Friday.

“Narcotics dealing spawns increased violence in our neighborhoods,” Minkler said. “Those that are in the business of dealing drugs in this community can expect the full brunt of the federal hammer and the consequences that follow.”

In early 2016, law enforcement officials learned that an organization was responsible for bringing large quantities of methamphetamine into neighborhoods on the Southwest side of Indianapolis.

Brothers Jose Zamudio, 36, and Juan Zamudio, 31, were identified as the local source of supply, bringing methamphetamine and other narcotics into Indianapolis.

Once in the hands of the Zamudios, the drugs were redistributed to others for sale.

Besides the Zamudios and Garcia, those charged on Thursday include Daryl Albertson, 44, Anthony Plymate, 47, Jessica Dreyer, 40, Falisha Shatz, 38, Amanda Nelson Craft, 40, Christopher Williams, 34, Kimberly Gaskins, 44, Maria Gonzalez, 36, Christian Morales, 27, Evelyn Perez, 22, Jeremy Perdue, 34, Adrian Bennett, 33, Gerardo Nunez, 26, Jeffrey Rush, 49, David Silnes, 41, Samantha Barton, 40, Timothy Berry, 29, Joseph Coltharp, 49, Armando Bautista, 37, and James Smotherman, 42.

According to Assistant United States Attorney Michelle Brady, who is prosecuting this case for the government, all defendants face a sentence of 10 years to life if convicted of all counts.