CPD, DEA Halt Westside Heroin House

NBC 4: Several law-enforcement agencies, including DEA agents, raided a West Side restaurant as part of a six-month investigation Thursday morning. Teams of federal, state and local law-enforcement agents arrested 18 people charged in a federal indictment with distributing heroin. The investigation was called “Operation Mexican Asphalt.”

The investigation centered around El Cora, a Mexican restaurant, on West Broad Street. El Cora is housed in the Westland Mall and owned by David Gonzalez Rendon. Rendon, of Hilliard, was charged with conspiracy and possession with intent to distribute heroin.

Rendon was arrested for allegedly running the operation, where dealers would allegedly buy their heroin at the restaurant and then sell it on the street. The DEA said it believes the restaurant was responsible for much of the area’s heroin trafficking.

Teams of law enforcement agents executed search warrants at 11 Franklin County locations in connection with the investigation. All 18 defendants were charged with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute heroin, which is punishable by up to 20 years imprisonment.

Seven of the defendants are charged with possession with intent to distribute more than 100 grams of heroin. This crime is punishable by at least 5 and up to 40 years imprisonment. Those seven included Rendon, Diaz, Velaquez, John Doe No. 1, John Doe No. 2, John Doe No. 3 and Silva. Officials said the operation is believed to have made between $5 million and $7 million per year.