WICHITA – Seven men in Wichita have been charged as a result of a federal investigation into methamphetamine trafficking. Two other people are charged with immigration violations.

A criminal complaint filed in U.S. District Court in Wichita alleges investigators seized approximately eight pounds of methamphetamine and more than $66,000 in cash from the traffickers.

Victor Casarez-Ramirez, 26, Wichita, is charged with one count of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, Diego Beltran-Vega, 42, Wichita, one count of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, Hector Medina-Hernandez, 29, Wichita, one count of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, Cesar Hernandez, 34, Wichita, one count of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, Israel Ramirez-Unzetta, 23, Wichita, one count of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, Robert J. Slater, 53, Wichita, one count of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, Javier Aldrete, 31, Wichita, one count of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, Yazmin Duarte-Rodriguez, 29, who is not a citizen of the United States, one count of possession of false documents and one count of illegally entering the United States and Andy Panameno, 28, who is not a citizen of the United States, one count of unlawfully entering the United States.

An agent’s affidavit states that on May 26, investigators seized more than 461 grams of methamphetamine when they stopped a car driven by a defendant near I-135 and 21st in Wichita. The methamphetamine was in a potato chip bag on the backseat floorboard.

On May 27, investigators seized more than 448 grams of methamphetamine when they searched an apartment at 305 E. Academy in Hesston.

That same day, investigators seized more than 2,600 grams of methamphetamine when they searched a residence at 914 Pinecrest in Wichita, and investigators seized approximately $56,500 in cash and jewelry worth $16,700 when they searched a residence at 6156 E. Harry in Wichita, and also on that date, investigators seized $10, 280 in cash at a vehicle drive by one of the defendants at 3909 W. 31st South in Wichita.

For conspiracy, the penalty is not less than 10-years and not more than life in federal prison and a fine up to $4 million. For possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, not less than five years and not more than 40-years and a fine up to $2 million.

For possession of false documents, the maximum penalty of 10-years and a fine up to $250,000 and finally, for unlawful entry into the United States, the maximum penalty of six months and a fine up to $5,000.