NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) – Three California men were arrested in California Wednesday and charged with conspiring to ship fentanyl-laced drugs to Middle Tennessee and other states.
The Department of Justice says Matthew Cox, 26, Marcus Johnson, 24, and Ricardo Malinero-Alcarez, 27, were arraigned in California Thursday and will be taken to Middle Tennessee in the near future. Felony Lane Gang back in Middle Tennessee, says Murfreesboro police.
A criminal complaint says investigators were looking into the distribution of counterfeit fentanyl-laced oxycodone tablets with the inscription “M30” being shipped from the Santa Rosa, California area to multiple states, including Tennessee.
After reviewing surveillance footage, social media sites and mobile payment records, investigators were able to identify Cox, Johnson, and Malinero-Alcarez as the ones involved.
During the investigation, agents determined the drug distribution network was linked to other people in Columbia, Tennessee, and that fentanyl laced tablets were being shipped to Middle Tennessee. Law enforcement officials recently searched an area in Columbia and recovered a loaded gun and blue tablets with “M30” inscribed on them, according to investigators.