Greg Ng | WBAL TV11 | November 25, 2025 | Original Source

BALTIMORE —

Nine people have been indicted in an almost yearlong, multi-jurisdiction investigation that seized a large amount of cocaine and two guns, disrupting a drug pipeline from Texas to Maryland, authorities announced Tuesday.

Prosecutors from Baltimore City and Baltimore County announced the indictments of Benjamin Rivas Lopez, Santos Ayala Serrano, Brayan Juarez Cruz, Pablo Abelardo Molina, Fredy Lopez Chinchilla, Gerson Tabora Chinchilla, Hamilton Cha Pacay, German Aguilar Mencias and Elvin Ayala Paz.

"Marylanders are witnessing firsthand the effects of both local and international drug trafficking networks that are infiltrating their communities with violence and distributing dangerous drugs such as cocaine, and counterfeit pills laced with fentanyl, methamphetamine and other illegal substances," Christopher Goumenis, the special agent in charge for the Drug Enforcement Administration's Washington Division, said in a statement.

Prosecutors said Baltimore County police narcotics detectives started an investigation in January into a group of people they believed to be importing large amounts of cocaine from Texas to Maryland.

Prosecutors said the suspects are accused of stashing the drugs in multiple residences, including an apartment in Southeast Baltimore and a house in Baltimore County.

Prosecutors said detectives developed a pattern that led them to believe a new shipment of drugs was going to arrive at the Baltimore apartment around Oct. 2, so detectives tracked vehicles driven by Molina and Lopez from Houston to Baltimore.

Prosecutors said detectives conducted surveillance and saw Molina, Lopez, Cruz and Serrano carrying multiple large pieces of luggage into the Baltimore apartment. Detectives then obtained search-and-seizure warrants for the apartment and found about 43 kg of cocaine with an approximate street value of $4 million and a bolt-action .22 caliber rifle. Detectives arrested Lopez, Serrano, Cruz and Molina at the scene.

As the apartment search was underway, detectives also executed search-and-seizure warrants at the alleged Baltimore County stash house, along with several vehicles, including those driven by Pacay, Mencias and Tabora Chinchilla. In that search, investigators seized about 360 g of cocaine, $5,921 in cash, and a loaded Ruger .22 caliber rifle.

As a result of the drug and gun seizures, Pacay, Mencias, Tabora Chinchilla, Paz, Cruz and Lopez Chinchilla were indicted in Baltimore County.

"Drug-trafficking organizations like this one wreak havoc on our communities by fostering an environment filled with danger and anxiety, ultimately degrading the quality of life for our residents. These organizations lead to increased crime rates, addiction issues, and a decline in overall living conditions for those in affected neighborhoods," Baltimore City State's Attorney Ivan Bates said in a statement.

Law enforcement agencies involved included the Baltimore Police Department, the Baltimore City Sheriff's Office, the Baltimore County Police Department, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Maryland Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services and agents from Washington/Baltimore High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA).

"Criminals know no boundaries, and neither should we," Baltimore County State's Attorney Scott Shellenberger said in a statement.