Attorney Prim F. Escalona | U.S. Department of Justice
Attorney Prim F. Escalona | U.S. Department of Justice
A federal grand jury has indicted two Colombian nationals on drug-related charges, as announced by U.S. Attorney Prim F. Escalona and Homeland Security Investigations Atlanta Special Agent in Charge Steven N. Schrank.
The indictment filed in the U.S. District Court accuses Cristian Yesid Lugo-Beltran, 24, and Johan Leandro Zapata-Valencia, 23, of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine and possession with intent to distribute cocaine.
According to the indictment, on February 6, 2024, Lugo-Beltran and Zapata-Valencia were found in possession of five kilograms or more of cocaine with the intent to distribute it. The arrest followed a traffic stop on Interstate 65 in Shelby County.
The case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), in collaboration with the Calera Police Department and Alabama Law Enforcement Agency. The Shelby County District Attorney’s Office also provided assistance. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Brittany T. Byrd and Olivia C. Brame are leading the prosecution.
It is important to note that an indictment contains only charges, and a defendant is presumed innocent unless proven guilty.
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