In a significant crackdown on drug trafficking in Western Tennessee, five individuals have been indicted with federal charges, as announced by Joseph C. Murphy, Jr., the Interim United States Attorney for the Western District of Tennessee. According to the U.S. Attorney's Office, these charges come after an extensive two-year investigation involving various law enforcement entities, including the FBI's Transnational Organized Crime Task Force and the Drug Enforcement Administration.
The indictment details allegations that, from April 2023 to March 2025, the accused were working to collectively distribute fentanyl, methamphetamine, and marijuana. The operation is reportedly connected to the Sinaloa cartel, a notorious transnational crime group recently designated as a foreign terrorist organization. This investigation was vital not only to potentially stem the surge of illegal drugs into U.S. communities but also to appear to directly challenge the penetration of cartel influence in small-town America.
Joseph E. Carrico, FBI Nashville Field Office Special Agent in Charge, emphasized the hazards posed by the operation, stating, "These defendants took part in a conspiracy that exposed our communities to significant amounts of Fentanyl, Methamphetamine, and Marijuana." The indictment follows the seizure of sizable quantities of illicit drugs, including 10 kilograms of cocaine, 16 pounds of methamphetamine, 30,000 fentanyl pills, and about 40 pounds of marijuana, in addition to cash and firearms. These results reflect the collaborative efforts of federal, state, and local law enforcement, under the umbrella initiative "Operation Take Back America," as reported by the U.S. Attorney's Office.
The operation showcases the collective resolve to combat not just drug trafficking but also the broader threats of illegal immigration and transnational criminal organizations. These collaborative efforts aim to not only break apart criminal structures but also to seek to fundamentally restore the sense of safety in American communities. McNairy County Sheriff Guy Buck expressed pride in the cooperation between agencies, "We are extremely proud of the outcomes of this investigation and would like to express our sincere gratitude to the Federal, State, and Local Agencies that played a vital role in its success," as stated in the press release.
Those indicted include Juan Palomino, 36, and Joaquin Elizalde, 44, both of Selmer, TN; Javier Varela, 41, of Byhalia, MS; Luis Lizarraga, 36, and David Asua, 46, both of Memphis, TN. They face a variety of serious charges, including conspiracy to distribute and possess narcotics. As with all defendants in the criminal justice system, they are presumed innocent until proven guilty. Prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Christie Hopper and Greg Allen.
