Full Notification

Below is a news release that was put out by DEA Ft. Wayne regarding a recent investigation and arrest which resulted in the seizure of over 2000 pounds of marijuana. This case is a direct result of the partnership between the Steuben County Sheriff's Office and the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). The seized marijuana has a street value of approximately 1.7 million dollars. Each bundle in the photograph varies in weights from 10 pounds to 50 pounds each. This is a significant strike against marijuana importation and distribution into Steuben County and our communities throughout northeast Indiana.

Sheriff Tim R. Troyer

DEA Agents in Fort Wayne, Indiana Seize Over One Ton of Marijuana

(FORT WAYNE) An Indianapolis man is facing federal narcotic charges in connection with the seizure of more than 2,000 pounds of marijuana. Earlier today, Martin GONZALEZ-MEDINA, 50, of Indianapolis, was charged in a criminal complaint filed in U.S. District Court with possession with intent to distribute marijuana. GONZALEZ-MEDINA will appear later today before United States Magistrate Judge John Martin and remains in custody pending a detention hearing scheduled later in the week. If convicted, according to Court documents, GONZALEZ-MEDINA faces a mandatory minimum of 5 – 40 years in prison in addition to a fine of up to $5 million dollars.

The charges were announced by Jack Riley, Special Agent-in-Charge of the Chicago Field Division of the Drug Enforcement Administration, which covers Fort Wayne.

“This is the most significant marijuana seizure in Northeast, Indiana in several years,” SAC Riley said. “This seizure shows that large scale criminal drug trafficking organizations continue to try to use Fort Wayne both as a local distribution center and a transshipment point for distribution to other states,” he added.

According to Court documents, the seizure was made on Monday as the marijuana was delivered to a warehouse located off Industrial Road in Fort Wayne. The marijuana, which originated in Mexico and was transported through Texas prior to its arrival in Fort Wayne, was compressed and hidden in twelve large deep freezers.

The investigation was conducted by a DEA Task Force made up of federal agents from the DEA and IRS, as well as agents from the Steuben County Sheriff’s Department, the Noble County Sheriff’s Department, and the Fort Wayne Police Department.

The government is being represented by Assistant United States Attorney Anthony Geller.

The public is reminded that a criminal complaint contains only charges and is not evidence of guilt. The defendant is presumed innocent and is entitled to a fair trial at which the government has the burden of proving guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.