Nearly two dozen charged with drug distribution crimes

Federal Bureau of Investigation

A lengthy investigation by federal and local law enforcement agencies has resulted in the indictment of 22 people for illegally selling drugs in and around the areas of Maury and Lewis counties.

According to the Department of Justice, the first indictment charges the following 14 people with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and to distribute cocaine, crack cocaine, methamphetamine and marijuana between March 2018 and September 2019:

Julio Esparza, aka Beto, 45, of McAllen, Texas;

Freddy Quinones, 48, of McAllen, Texas;

Jesus Silva, aka Barbas, 40,...