Opinion ID: 2709089
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: The Drug Bust on March 1, 2010

Text: After the meeting, Garcia, Mendez, Quiroz, Figueroa, and Rosendo Jimmenez (“Jimmenez”) were in frequent contact.1 Quiroz called the CI and informed him that the deal was set to take place on March 1, 2010. The CI worked in concert with DEA agents to prepare for the drug bust. On March 1, 2010, the CI and an undercover DEA agent drove in separate vehicles to meet with Mendez and Quiroz; the CI again wore a wire and secretly recorded the conversations that took place. The undercover agent had $36,000 hidden in a secret compartment in his van; he handed the money to Mendez, and allowed him to inspect it. He told Mendez he would get the money once the exchange was made. The CI then drove with Mendez and Quiroz to a grocery store near 79th and Pulaski to complete the deal. Mendez explained that Garcia wanted the CI to call the agent and tell him to remove the money and turn over his van so it could be loaded with drugs. The CI told Mendez, however, that the agent was unwilling to give up his vehicle, so the conspirators decided to load the drugs into the CI’s car instead. Figueroa asked the CI if it was okay to “throw [the drugs] in the trunk for you?” and the CI assured him that it was. The CI then exited his vehicle and left the car running with his keys in the ignition. Figueroa drove away in the CI’s car. 1 Phone records show that between February 24, 2010, and March 1, 2010, there were 115 contacts between Garcia and Mendez, 65 contacts between Garcia and Figueroa, 17 contacts between Garcia and Jimmenez, and 34 contacts between Mendez and Quiroz. 4 No. 13-1313 A short time later, DEA agents stopped a different car, which Figueroa was driving. Garcia was a passenger in the car. The agents recovered a set of keys from Garcia; it included a key to the CI’s vehicle. Agents then used the key to open the CI’s vehicle; they found a plastic bag containing 888.2 grams of pure methamphetamine on the front passenger seat. The drugs had a street value of $355,000. On March 2, 2010, Garcia, Quiroz, Mendez, Figueroa, and Jimmenez were charged in a complaint, alleging that they had intentionally and knowingly conspired to distribute methamphetamine on March 1, 2010. They were later named in indictments returned by a grand jury.