Four individuals have been sentenced in federal court for their involvement in a drug trafficking organization that distributed at least 55 kilograms of cocaine throughout Central Indiana, according to an April 7 announcement from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Indiana.
The case highlights ongoing efforts by federal and local authorities to combat large-scale drug distribution networks operating within communities. Law enforcement officials say such operations pose significant risks due to the volume of drugs and associated criminal activity.
According to court documents, law enforcement identified a drug trafficking organization operating out of a near east-side Indianapolis business in 2023. In 2019, Eric Kendrick leased commercial property at 5641 Massachusetts Avenue, which was later used as a stash house for storing and distributing cocaine. On May 31, 2023, courier Joaquin Ramirez-Molina arrived at the location with two suitcases filled with cocaine. Around the same time, Kristopher Chavez brought contraband in his vehicle; both men gathered items used to repackage drugs and handled $200,000 in cash as payment.
Shortly after, Delray Bragg arrived to collect ten kilograms of cocaine intended for redistribution. As he left the property, Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department officers conducted a traffic stop. Before his vehicle was searched, Bragg alerted other members via text message—prompting them to flee the scene. Subsequent searches led investigators to recover $582,591 in cash; firearms including several pistols; three vehicles; assorted ammunition; and additional contraband totaling approximately 55 kilograms of cocaine.
Sentences handed down include: Kristopher Chavez (8 years and 11 months), Eric Kendrick (11 years and 8 months), Delray Bragg (5 years and 11 months), and Joaquin A. Ramirez-Molina (4 years and 9 months). Each will also serve supervised release following prison terms.
“Shipments containing multiple kilograms of cocaine, delivered in suitcases, underscores the profound danger these drugs pose. The larger the number of drugs, the larger the threat to our community, and accordingly the more aggressive the response of my office and our law enforcement partners,” said Tom Wheeler, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Indiana. “Our federal prosecutors remain steadfast in partnering with the DEA, ATF, and local drug task forces to remove dealers from our streets. These poisons are devastating our neighborhoods and the people we love, and we are committed to confronting that harm with every tool at our disposal.”
The investigation involved cooperation between several agencies including Drug Enforcement Administration agents; Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms & Explosives officers; IMPD personnel; as well as Hamilton/Boone Drug Task Force members.
