Fairfield, Ohio – Federal agents arrested two Southwest Ohio relatives after investigators allegedly uncovered a massive cocaine trafficking operation involving more than 80 kilograms of suspected cocaine, firearms, cash, and other narcotics.
Authorities identified the suspects as 31-year-old Damian Galan of Cincinnati and 19-year-old Diego Galan of Fairfield. Both men were scheduled to appear in federal court for initial appearances following their arrests.
According to federal charging documents, investigators with the Drug Enforcement Administration Cincinnati District Office, the Cincinnati Police Department, and other agencies working through the Cincinnati Homeland Security Task Force had received information suggesting the relatives were involved in large-scale drug trafficking operations throughout the Southern District of Ohio and potentially other locations.
Officials said surveillance operations and additional investigative work eventually led authorities to a Holiday Inn Express in Columbus on May 9.
Investigators allege Damian and Diego Galan traveled to the hotel together in separate vehicles before obtaining four large 17-gallon storage containers from two Hispanic men staying at the hotel.
According to authorities, the containers were loaded into Damian Galan’s vehicle, including both the trunk and backseat areas, before the pair left Columbus and traveled south toward Fairfield.
Search Warrants Lead To Major Cocaine Seizure
Federal authorities allege the men later arrived at Diego Galan’s residence in Fairfield, where the four containers were unloaded and moved inside.
Law enforcement officials later executed search warrants at both Damian and Diego Galan’s residences.
At Damian Galan’s home in Cincinnati, investigators reportedly recovered approximately four kilograms of suspected cocaine along with a firearm.
The larger discovery came during the search of Diego Galan’s Fairfield residence.
Authorities said the four storage bins allegedly contained roughly 77 kilograms of suspected cocaine. Investigators also recovered bulk cash, additional firearms, and suspected methamphetamine from the property.
The arrests took place during the early morning hours of May 10.
Federal prosecutors have charged both men with conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute cocaine. The charge carries severe penalties under federal law, including a mandatory minimum prison sentence of 10 years and the possibility of life imprisonment if convicted.
The charges were announced by Dominick S. Gerace II along with members of the Homeland Security Task Force, including agents and officers from the DEA, FBI, Homeland Security Investigations, the Cincinnati Police Department, and the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office Regional Narcotics Unit.
Executive Assistant United States Attorney Christy L. Muncy is prosecuting the case on behalf of the federal government.
Officials said the investigation is connected to the Homeland Security Task Force initiative created under Executive Order 14159, known as Protecting the American People Against Invasion.
According to federal authorities, the task force focuses on targeting criminal cartels, foreign gangs, transnational criminal organizations, human trafficking operations, and violent criminal networks operating within the United States and abroad.
Authorities also said the initiative places special attention on cases involving crimes against children and efforts to remove violent criminal offenders from the country.
Despite the allegations outlined in the criminal complaint, federal officials emphasized that the charges are accusations only. Both Damian and Diego Galan remain presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.
