Seven people were arrested Wednesday morning by FBI agents in the Akron-Canton-Massillon area on charges of involvement in a Mexican drug-trafficking ring.
A total of eight were charged with intent to distribute and distribution of crystal methamphetamine, as well as conspiracy charges. The charges will be tried in federal court. FBI agents, along with local police, also performed seven search warrants.
Those arrested were: Carlos Elias, 33; Lisa Elias, 36; Nikki Greenwood, 37; Michael Mack, 39; Wilmer Martinez, 25; Stephen Petit, 35, and Richard Stewart, 57.
Another man — Robert Willham, 36 — is wanted but has not yet been arrested.
Three others were arrested over the course of the investigation and charged in Stark and Summit county courts. They were: Jose Cuevas, 28; Javier Roque, 30, and Nicholas Stewart, 35.
Charges against them include drug trafficking and weapons violations.
Wednesday’s arrests represent six months of investigations into the drug trafficking ring, the FBI reported. To date, police and agents working the case — known as “Schrock & Awe” — have seized 10 firearms, 145 pounds of marijuana worth $150,000, 11 pounds of methamphetamine worth $150,000 and $100,000 in drug money.
“I want to thank our law enforcement partners for their efforts during this investigation that culminated in today’s arrests and searches,” Stephen Anthony, special agent in charge, said in a statement. “These arrests are a fine example of how the FBI and our law enforcement partners will aggressively pursue and bring to justice those individuals who place our community at risk.”
Acting U.S. Attorney Carole S. Rendon agreed.
“This ring is responsible for shipping pounds of crystal meth into Stark and Summit counties,” Rendon said. “The fact that this pipeline was shut off is a credit to the FBI, the Akron and Canton police departments and our other law enforcement partners.”
The FBI performed the arrests in conjunction with the Alliance, Akron, Canton, Jackson Township, and Louisville police departments, as well as the Ohio Adult Parole Authority.