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Large heroin distribution ring based in Toledo broken up
Posted: 05.10.2011 at 1:53 PM
Kevin Kistner

Kevin is the Senior Producer at WNWO.

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Brian Rutledge
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TOLEDO -- Toledo police say they've broken up a major drug ring trafficking heroin into Toledo from Mexico and California.

A 57 count indictment was handed down Tuesday charging 19 people from Toledo and one from California with engaging in this interstate heroin trafficking ring.

Investigators say the 20 suspects have smuggled at least 20 kilos of heroin since 2001.  The indictments follow a three year investigation called "The Manhattan Project."  Toledo Police Chief Mike Navarre says this operation will make the streets safer.

Authorities have also seized a number of vehicles, at least one property, guns and about $60,000 in cash.

Cops are still searching for these six suspects: Brian Rutledge, Gerald Hallauer, Melanie Wodarski, Gary Elliot, Jr., Lupe Hernandez, Jr., and Randall Bauer.

Here is a list of the defendants that have been arrested:

Kelly Bocanegra, 24

Joseph Gonzales, 37

Jason Costilla, 37

Matt Bocanegra, 21

Francisco Gonzales, 33

Juan Gonzalez, 27

John Helminski, 51

Clemens Kaminski, 59

Frank Lane, 40

Dolores Ramirez, 30

Gerald Rodriguez, 45

Randy Schimmel, 42

Byron Thomas, 32

Edward Todd, 50

Jesse Vasquez, 29

Mario Vasquez, 23

Robert Whitfield, 26

Robert Villanueva, 24, of Tracy, Calif.

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