Cincinnati, Ohio – Federal investigators in Ohio say a major cocaine trafficking investigation involving two Southwest Ohio relatives has expanded dramatically after authorities uncovered hundreds of additional kilograms of suspected narcotics during follow-up searches connected to the case.
According to federal officials, the investigation now involves approximately 325 kilograms of suspected cocaine with an estimated street value exceeding $5.8 million.
The case centers on 31-year-old Damian Galan of Cincinnati and 19-year-old Diego Galan of Fairfield, who both appeared in federal court Monday after being arrested over the weekend by members of the Homeland Security Task Force.
Earlier announcements tied the investigation to roughly 80 kilograms of cocaine, but officials now say the amount seized has grown significantly.
Investigators reported that ongoing searches conducted after the arrests uncovered an additional 244 kilograms of suspected cocaine at properties near Columbus.
That discovery brought the total amount of narcotics tied to the investigation to roughly 716 pounds.
Investigation Expanded Following Surveillance Operations
Federal authorities said the investigation began after the Drug Enforcement Administration Cincinnati District Office, the Cincinnati Police Department, and other agencies working within the Cincinnati Homeland Security Task Force received information regarding suspected cocaine trafficking activities connected to the Galans.
Investigators alleged the trafficking operation extended throughout the Southern District of Ohio and other locations.
According to charging documents, surveillance teams monitored the men and tracked their movements during the investigation.
On May 9, law enforcement officers reportedly followed individuals connected to the alleged organization as they traveled together to multiple sites in the Columbus area believed to be connected to narcotics storage and drug proceeds.
Authorities said the defendants later traveled to Diego Galan’s Fairfield residence after several large storage containers had been loaded into their vehicle.
Search warrants were later executed at both residences connected to the investigation.
At Damian Galan’s residence, investigators reportedly discovered approximately four kilograms of suspected cocaine along with a firearm.
Meanwhile, authorities said the search at Diego Galan’s residence uncovered storage bins containing approximately 77 kilograms of suspected cocaine.
Investigators also seized bulk cash, firearms, and suspected methamphetamine during the search.
Federal agents arrested the two men during the early morning hours of May 10.
Defendants Face Major Federal Drug Charges
Both defendants are now charged with conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute cocaine.
Federal officials said the charge carries a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in prison and could result in life imprisonment if convicted.
The charges were announced by Dominick S. Gerace II along with members of the Homeland Security Task Force, including the DEA, Cincinnati Police Department, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Homeland Security Investigations, and the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office Regional Narcotics Unit.
Federal prosecutors said Executive Assistant United States Attorney Christy L. Muncy is handling the case.
Officials also emphasized that the investigation is part of the broader Homeland Security Task Force initiative established under Executive Order 14159, known as “Protecting the American People Against Invasion.”
Authorities described the HSTF initiative as a nationwide partnership involving federal, state, and local agencies focused on dismantling cartels, transnational criminal organizations, gangs, and human trafficking networks operating both inside and outside the United States.
Federal officials said the initiative places special focus on organizations connected to violence, narcotics trafficking, and crimes involving children while coordinating large-scale law enforcement resources to investigate and prosecute criminal networks nationwide.
As the investigation continues, authorities have not ruled out the possibility of additional arrests or further seizures connected to the alleged drug trafficking organization.
