Two Southwest Ohio relatives, Damian Galan and Diego Galan, were arrested by federal agents for allegedly conducting large-scale cocaine trafficking, following an investigation by the Cincinnati Homeland Security Task Force that led to the seizure of over 80 kilograms of suspected cocaine and multiple firearms.
Damian Galan, 31, of Cincinnati, and Diego Galan, 19, of Fairfield, appeared in federal court today. The DEA Cincinnati District Office, Cincinnati Police Department, and other agencies within the Cincinnati Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) initiated the investigation after receiving information regarding the Galans’ potential drug trafficking throughout the Southern District of Ohio.
Surveillance of the men and additional investigation led law enforcement officials to a Holiday Inn Express in Columbus on May 9. Damian and Diego Galan allegedly traveled to the hotel in tandem and obtained four 17-gallon storage containers from two other individuals, placing them in Damian Galan’s vehicle.
The defendants then allegedly traveled to Diego’s residence in Fairfield, where they moved the four storage containers. Law enforcement officials executed search warrants at both Galan residences on May 10, discovering four kilograms of suspected cocaine and a firearm at Damian Galan’s home.
At Diego Galan’s residence, the search recovered the storage bins containing approximately 77 kilograms of suspected cocaine, along with bulk cash, firearms, and suspected methamphetamine. The men were arrested in the early morning hours of May 10.
They are each charged with conspiring to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute cocaine, a federal crime punishable by at least 10 years and up to life in prison. Dominick S. Gerace II, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio, announced the charges, highlighting the HSTF's dedication to eliminating criminal cartels and transnational criminal organizations.