An investigation that began with a traffic stop in Utah led to a federal indictment in Kansas City, Kan., Wednesday charging five people with drug trafficking, U.S. Attorney Barry Grissom said.
Ana Claudia Rodriguez-Rodriguez, 39; Sergio Lopez, 41; Migel Lopez-Lopez, 22; Daniel Rivera, 32; and Andres Marquez, 22, are charged with one count of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine.
According to court documents, Rodriguez-Rodriguez was stopped by the Utah Highway Patrol Jan. 21, 2015, driving a red 1991 Jeep Cherokee. Troopers found approximately 10 pounds of methamphetamine in the car.
Investigators determined that she was headed to the Kansas City area to deliver the drugs. In Kansas City, Kan., officers set up a sting operation and arrested the other defendants when they attempted to take delivery of the drugs, according to the U.S. attorney’s office.
If convicted, they face a penalty of not less than 10 years and a fine up to $10 million. The Utah Highway Patrol and the Drug Enforcement Administration investigated. Assistant U.S. Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Erin Tomasic is prosecuting.