Local News

Five People Charged in What Police Call Northern Indiana’s Largest Heroin Takedown

FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WOWO): Five people have been charged with conspiracy to distribute heroin, in what authorities are calling the largest heroin takedown ever in the Northern District of Indiana.


Monday afternoon, during a press conference at the Fort Wayne Federal Courthouse, the United States Attorney’s Office announced that the following individuals were arrested:


* Eduardo Martinez, 29, of Fort Wayne, IN

* Gisela Leyva Gamez, 28, of Phoenix, AZ

* Rigoberto Martinez, 32, of Fort Wayne, IN

* Cesar Rosales, 40, of Wilmington, CA

* Juan Rosales Suarez, 41, of Memphis. TN


The five individuals were arrested last Wednesday at or near a home on W. Butler Street in Fort Wayne, a house where Rigoberto Martinez was staying. Officers conducted searches at the home located on W. Butler along with another residence owned by Eduardo Martinez on West State Boulevard.


The investigation was based on court-ordered wiretaps of two cellphones used by Eduardo Martinez. In an intercepted call on December 14, authorities learned that Eduardo Martinez was negotiating with Gamez to arrange for a delivery of heroin to Fort Wayne. The delivery took place on Wednesday, December 17 in the garage at the residence. The delivery was made in a pickup driven by Rosales and Suarez.


Law enforcement had the area under surveillance, moved in, and arrested Rosales and Suarez on the premises. Eduardo Martinez and Gamez were arrested a short distance away after trying to runaway. Rigoberto Martinez was arrested at the house on Butler, where about 3.5 kilograms of heroin were seized in the garage.


United States Attorney David Capp stated, “This is the largest heroin takedown ever in the Northern District of Indiana. These arrests dismantle an organization responsible for bringing large quantities of heroin to the streets of greater Fort Wayne. These arrests and seizures were the result of a great cooperative law enforcement by federal, state and locals.”


Law enforcement located and additional 4.5 kilograms of heroin in the spare tire of the pickup and a search warrant at the home of Eduardo Martinez on West State Boulevard also revealed more drugs and guns.


The United States Attorney's Office will seek pre-trial detention on all defendants.

Related posts

Day two of dense patchy fog, advisory issued

Kayla Blakeslee

One Dead, One Hurt in Kosciusko County Crash

Darrin Wright

Fort Wayne man rejects excessive force lawsuit settlement, plans for trial

Brooklyne Beatty