Several Members of the “South Side Myfas” Street Gang Indicted for Cocaine Trafficking

RICARDO LARIOS-TRUJILLO, a/k/a “Rico,” 33, of Lawrenceville, Georgia; RIGOBERTO DELGADO-OROZCO, a/k/a “Chapparo,” 30, of Buford, Georgia; RAMON CORTEZ, a/k/a “Toro,” 20, of Lawrenceville, Georgia; HOMER LARIOS, a/k/a “Hummer,” 34, of Lawrenceville, Georgia, and ALEXANDER I. ACHER, 29, of Southborough, Massachusetts, have been indicted by a federal grand jury on charges of conspiring to possess with intent to distribute, and possession with intent to distribute, more than five kilograms of cocaine. Their initial court appearances have not yet been scheduled, but are expected within a week before a United States Magistrate Judge.

United States Attorney David E. Nahmias said of today’s indictment, “Metro Atlanta unfortunately continues to be a major drug distribution center for gangs in the Southeast and beyond. The South Side Myfas street gang, which originated near Bakersfield, California, and has organized drug distribution organizations in various parts of the country, is a sub-set of the notorious Surenos gang – one of the oldest, largest, and most violent of the Mexican-American street gangs active in the United States. Today’s indictment is a warning to all South Side Myfas and other gang members in our community that we will fight to eliminate their presence.”

“ICE is committed to partnering with other law enforcement agencies to target the transnational street gangs that terrorize our community through their involvement with drugs and violence,” said Kenneth A. Smith, Special Agent in Charge of the ICE Office of Investigations in Atlanta. “By combining our resources and enforcement authorities, we can impact these gang and drug cells on multiple levels by seeking both criminal prosecution and removal from the country after their debt to society has been paid.”

According to United States Attorney Nahmias, and other information presented in court: Between 2007 and 2008, LARIOS-TRUJILLO, DELGADO-OROZCO, CORTEZ and LARIOS, members of an Hispanic street gang called “South Side Myfas,” along with ACHER, allegedly utilized “Monster Car Audio,” a audio installation business belonging to LARIOS-TRUJILLO and located at 134 South Clayton Street in Lawrenceville, Georgia, to store and distribute cocaine. After a lengthy investigation, on November 3, 2008, FBI and ICE agents conducted a joint undercover operation at the “Monster Car Audio” business, during which the defendants allegedly purchased more than five kilograms of cocaine from an undercover FBI agent. On November 3, 2008, at the times of the arrests, FBI agents also seized $130,000 in cash from the defendants.

LARIOS-TRUJILLO, DELGADO-OROZCO, CORTEZ, LARIOS and ACHER are charged in a two-count indictment with conspiring to possess with intent to distribute in excess of five kilograms of cocaine, and possession with intent to distribute in excess of five kilograms of cocaine. The indictment also includes a forfeiture count in which the United States seeks the forfeiture of all proceeds from the alleged criminal scheme. The charges carry a maximum sentence of life in prison and a fine of up to $8,000,000.

This case is being investigated by Special Agents of the FBI and ICE.

Assistant United States Attorney Richard S. Moultrie, Jr. is prosecuting the case.

Members of the public are reminded that the indictment contains only allegations. A defendant is presumed innocent of the charges and it will be the government's burden to prove a defendant's guilt beyond a reasonable doubt at trial.

The U.S. Attorney's Office in Atlanta recommends parents and children learn about the dangers of drugs at the following web site: www.justthinktwice.com.

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