12 arrested in drug bust

GREEN BAY - Twelve people have been arrested after a nine-month operation turned up what authorities said was a cocaine, methamphetamine and marijuana ring.

Brown County sheriff’s officials said they took 1,059 grams of cocaine, 32 grams of methamphetamine, 32½ pounds of high-grade marijuana, 17 pounds of commercial-grade marijuana, three guns and more than $80,000 in cash after executing four search warrants and several controlled purchases in February in Green Bay, Bellevue and Kaukauna. Officers said the total street value of the drugs and money was about $400,000.

Lab tests showed the methamphetamine was between 99.6 percent and 100 percent pure, which authorities said was unusually high.

Officers identified the 12 arrested as Edgar Rodolfo Torres-Orozco, Miguel Angel Lopez-Flores, Leonardo Herrera-Vega, Juana G. Alavez, Felipe Vazquez-Avila, Marino Robles-Romero, Raul Vallarta-Delgadillo and Luis Enrique Vallarta of Green Bay; Amayrani Ramos and Rodrigo Vazquez-Ayala of Bellevue; and Rafael Valdovinos-Mendoza and Jose Alejandro Garcia of Kaukauna.

Investigators said all 12 suspects were believed to have entered the United States illegally. Their names have been forwarded to Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials for investigation.

"I don't think this is something that suddenly started. I think this has been coming in for a long time," said Lt. Dave Poteat, with the Brown County Drug Task Force.

"Most of the people are illegal. Coming in from Mexico, they certainly have greater access to larger quantities of cocaine," said Poteat.

Investigators say the suspects all know each other and that they used an apartment in Green Bay (2120 Deckner Ave.) to stash most of the drugs.

"I don't think it makes a difference in the availability of drugs, say, tomorrow," said Poteat. "But I do think it makes a difference to the people who lived around these houses and in these communities. I think that makes a great difference. They feel more secure and safe."

The suspects are all being held on various cash bonds. Many have already been charged in court.