GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) — Eight of the 38 suspects arrested during an investigation into a large-scale drug trafficking ring appeared in Brown County court Thursday.
Officials allege this was a sophisticated organization with ties to Mexican drug cartels that was responsible for distributing large amounts of cocaine and marijuana throughout Northeast Wisconsin.
Court documents were all filed under seal, with prosecutors saying the investigation is far from over and there are still several people wanted by authorities.
On Wednesday, the 14-month investigation conducted by the Brown County Drug Task Force and Lake Winnebago Area Metropolitan Enforcement Group came to a head with 15 arrests.
“As was indicated, in the summer of 2024, the Brown County Drug Task Force continued to receive information in reference to a substantial cocaine, marijuana, gun and money laundering trafficking organization that was occurring here in our community,” said Brown County Deputy District Attorney Wendy Lemkuil.
Prosecutors named Kevin Morana-Morales, Xiomara Rodriguez, Erik Moreno-Flores and Elvis Alvardo as four main co-conspirators.
“Because of the significant money laundering and money that was moving through this organization, with members having ties to the Mexican drug cartel, they also have identified a sophisticated network of moving money, moving drugs, doing all of these things very quickly,” Lemkuil said.
Criminal charges against Morana-Morales were filed under seal. The judge set his bond at $300,000 cash.
Rodriguez, Flores-Moreno, and Alvardo are also being held on significant cash bonds. Probable cause statements against them were also filed under seal.
Alvardo’s bond is the highest of them all, set at $500,000.
- Elvis Alvarado: $500,000 cash bond
- Erik Moreno-Flores: $300,000 cash bond
- Kevin Morana-Morales: $300,000 cash bond
- Xiomara Rodriguez: $250,000 cash bond
- Marisela Alvarado-Prieto: $10,000 signature bond
- Martin Alvarado-Alvarez: $10,000 signature bond
- Elena Ruvalcaba-Mercado: $10,000 signature bond
- Mayra Duarte: $10,000 signature bond
“He used his mother’s house as a stash house for his dealings. A kilogram of cocaine was located in his belongings, along with two empty kilogram wrappers from cocaine,” Lemkuil said.
Alvardo’s mother also appeared in court for a probable cause hearing. A $10,000 signature bond was set Elena Ruvalcaba-Mercado. She, like all the suspects, are prohibited from having contact with one another.
“We do not believe that at this time, we’re identifying her as being involved in the conspiracy,” said Lemkuil. “But because she is a relative and was being used by them, we are asking that these no contact provisions be put in place.”
While only releasing some details of this case, Lemkuil anticipates there is more to come.
“I can also tell the court that we have at least five significant co-conspirators that are presently on the run,” she said. “We do believe there will be future arrests.”
FOX 11 tried to speak with the Brown County Sheriff’s Office about these arrests, but we were told because the investigation is ongoing and more arrests are expected, officials aren’t speaking publicly about the case yet.
Seized during this operation was:
- 3.2 kilograms of cocaine
- 45 pounds of marijuana
- 27 firearms
- Two vehicles
- $46,500 in currency
