Two men arrested on human, drug trafficking charges in Columbus, police say
Two men face human trafficking and drug trafficking charges after a multi-month investigation between the Columbus Police Department and federal law enforcement, CPD announced Tuesday.
Raul Reyes-Nepomuceno, 53, and Brandon Reyes-Escano, 23, were arrested on charges of trafficking of persons for labor or sexual servitude, trafficking methamphetamine, pimping and keeping a place of prostitution, authorities said. It is unclear when the two men were arrested.
The investigation was a partnership between CPD and the Drug Enforcement Administration. The DEA, who led the operation, also was assisted by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, CPD said.
Authorities conducted a traffic stop around 7:41 p.m. Jan. 22 on Victory Drive near 10th Avenue and identified the driver of the vehicle as Reyes-Nepomuceno.
The investigation also led to two search warrants being conducted on an unspecified date, one on Lacey Oak Court and the other on Clay Drive, police said.
“Evidence recovered from the residences linked both locations to human trafficking and drug trafficking activity,” the news release said.
Officers met Brandon Reyes-Escano, 23, while searching the Clay Drive residence, and he was taken into custody at the scene, according to the news release.
Police found multiple items at the Clay Drive home including more than 100 condoms, a ledger, bottles on lubricant, vaginal cream, a variety of drugs like Rixtal and Zertalin, a Mexican passport and a box of lingerie, the release said.
Items seized at the Lacey Oak Court residence included 47.4 grams of methamphetamine, 8.3 grams of marijuana, three digital scales, 24 glass smoking devices, two firearms, condoms and two cell phones.
The men are being held in Muscogee County Jail and are scheduled to appear in Recorder’s Court at 1:30 p.m. Thursday, CPD said.
The suspects allegedly have affiliations with Cártel Jalisco Nueva Generación , according to the news release.
“Raul Reyes-Nepomuceno was found to be unlawfully present in the United States,” the news release says.
“We appreciate the professionalism and focused coordination demonstrated by our federal partners, as this case highlights how effective cooperation between local and federal agencies can disrupt organized criminal activity that exploits vulnerable individuals and threatens public safety,” CPD said in the release.
The investigation remains ongoing, according to police.