Seven people have been charged in a massive methamphetamine distribution conspiracy that brought at least 25 pounds of the drug to Bowling Green, and attempted to bring 40 additional pounds.
According to a federal indictment, beginning June 11, 2020, and continuing to on or about August 30, 2020, the seven defendants: Tyrecus J. Crowe, 29, of Bowling Green, Brandon Cherry, 24, of Bowling Green, George Sanchez, 26, of Los Angeles, California, Michael D. Padilla, 25, of Scottsdale, Arizona, Jeremy Quezada, 28, of Phoenix, Arizona, Andre M. Graham, and Raymond Derouse Jr., conspired to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine.
According to federal prosecutors, on July 24, 2020, the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) stopped a Chevrolet Tahoe for speeding.
A driver and two passengers occupied the Tahoe, with the driver consenting to have the DPS search the vehicle where police uncovered approximately 40 pounds of suspected crystal methamphetamine hidden in a black bag.
The search also revealed a rental agreement between the rental company and Crowe. The DPS detained the driver and contacted the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA).
A special agent with the DEA met the unidentified driver who explained he was driving the rented car from California to Bowling Green to deliver the crystal methamphetamine to Crowe, authorities said.
The driver further stated Crowe rented the vehicle and let the driver use it for this trip. The driver said this was his second trip to California to pick up crystal methamphetamine for Crowe. The first trip occurred approximately one week prior, and at the end of that trip, the driver delivered approximately 25 pounds of crystal methamphetamine to Crowe’s Bowling Green residence, police said.
During a July 26, 2020 interview, the driver stated that during both trips, Crowe provided the driver with cash to deliver in California. Once in California, the driver met Sanchez at a predetermined location in Los Angeles where the two men traveled to a residence where Sanchez and the driver counted the money.
The driver did not remember how much money he transported the first trip, authorities stated, but Crowe gave the driver $105,000 in cash during this second trip. The driver gave Sanchez the $105,000 and Sanchez then gave the driver the crystal methamphetamine.
“This case resulted in the largest crystal meth seizure in Warren County history,” said Tommy Loving, Executive Director of the Bowling Green/Warren County Drug Task Force. “These cases are not possible without a team effort of our state, local and federal partners. Our local detectives partnering with the FBI shut down a major supplier of crystal meth and his drug trafficking organization … The Bowling Green Police, Kentucky State Police, Warren County Sheriff’s Office, and WKU Police all participated in the joint investigation with the FBI.”
If convicted, the defendants face between 10 years and life in federal prison.
Prosecutors have also filed notice to seek forfeiture from the defendants, including $57,000 in cash, a residence in Bowling Green, and four vehicles: a 2008 Ford Mustang, 2012 Nissan Altima, 2001 Impala, and 2015 Maserati Ghibli.
Crowe is being held in the Grayson County Detention Center, while Padilla, Cherry and Quezada are detained at the Warren County Regional Jail. Sanchez was released from the Warren County Regional Jail on December 1.
(Headline photo: Tyrecus Crowe)
By Ken Howlett, News Director
Contact Ken at ken@k105.com
