timesherald.com
NORRISTOWN, Pennsylvania -- Montgomery County authorities Wednesday announced the break up of a major Norristown-area drug-trafficking ring that used tires to smuggle cocaine into the area with the arrest of eight Mexican nationals, including five who were illegally residing in the United States.
In executing search warrants during the takedown of the drug ring, authorities found three small shrine-like settings containing replicas of the skeletal St. Death, according to county District Attorney Bruce L. Castor Jr.
It is a common practice for Mexican drug dealers to pray to St. Death for protection from law enforcement officials, said Castor.
The eight who were arrested are:
_ Cirilo "Primo" Lumbrano, 37, of the 1300 block of Markley St., Norristown. Described by authorities as the alleged ringleader.
_ Rafael Sanchez, 41, of the first block of West Spruce St., Norristown. Described by authorities as an alleged lieutenant in the drug operation.
_ Hugo Juarez-Gonzalez, 29, of the 900 block of West Airy St., Norristown.
_ Luis Omar Bauza, 21, of the 100 block of West Airy St., Norristown.
_ Juan C. Fernandez, 39, of the 1600 block of Powell St., Norristown.
_ Gregorio A. Messina, 41, of the 2500 block of Morris Road, Lansdale.
_ Julia Asanzan, 20, of the 1300 block of Markley St., Norristown.
_ Israel Valente-Trujillo, 28, of the 800 block of Cherry St., Norristown.
Lumbrano, Sanchez, Juarez-Gonzalez, Asanzan and Trujillo - all are illegal aliens, according to authorities. Juarez-Gonzalez was twice arrested by the U.S. Border Patrol and deported to Mexico, according to Castor.
Posted by tyne at March 16, 2007