CINCINNATI, Ohio — What began as the weekend arrest of an uncle and nephew from Southwest Ohio has grown into one of the region’s largest recent cocaine seizures, with federal investigators uncovering an additional 244 kilograms of suspected cocaine at properties near Columbus — bringing the total haul to more than 700 pounds with a street value of more than $5.8 million.
Damian Galan, 31, of Cincinnati, and Diego Galan, 19, of Fairfield, appeared in federal court Monday following their arrests by agents with the Homeland Security Task Force. The pair now face a combined drug trafficking case involving 325 kilograms — approximately 716 pounds — of suspected cocaine.
The investigation began after the DEA Cincinnati District Office, the Cincinnati Police Department and other agencies within the Homeland Security Task Force received information about the Galans’ alleged drug trafficking throughout the Southern District of Ohio and elsewhere. Surveillance of the men led agents to locations in the Columbus area on May 9, where those connected to the operation were observed traveling in tandem to locations suspected of storing narcotics and drug proceeds.
Investigators watched as the men moved four storage containers into their vehicle before traveling to Diego Galan’s residence in Fairfield. Search warrants were executed at both homes. At Damian Galan’s Cincinnati residence, agents found four kilograms of suspected cocaine and a firearm. At Diego’s Fairfield home, the four storage containers yielded approximately 77 kilograms of suspected cocaine, along with bulk cash, additional firearms and suspected methamphetamine.
The pair were arrested in the early morning hours of May 10. Subsequent searches of additional properties near Columbus turned up the remaining 244 kilograms, pushing the total seizure to 325 kilograms.
Both men are charged with conspiring to distribute and possess with intent to distribute cocaine — a federal charge carrying a mandatory minimum of 10 years and a maximum of life in prison.
The case was announced by Dominick S. Gerace II, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio. Agencies involved in the investigation include the DEA, the Cincinnati Police Department, the FBI, Homeland Security Investigations and the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office Regional Narcotics Unit. Executive Assistant U.S. Attorney Christy L. Muncy is prosecuting the case.