Buckeye Reporter

Federal authorities have charged six individuals in an alleged interstate drug trafficking operation that moved methamphetamine, cocaine, and other controlled substances from California to Ohio. The indictment, unsealed on August 12 in Cleveland, details a conspiracy said to have run from February 2023 through April 2024.

The defendants named are Genaro Villa of San Diego, California; Terrance Gainer, Anthony Clark, and Darquan Dixon of Akron, Ohio; Allura Ward of Mansfield, Ohio; and Najiyah Martin of Los Angeles. According to the indictment, Villa supplied bulk quantities of drugs from California while Gainer, Clark, Dixon, and Ward were responsible for transporting the substances into Ohio. Martin is accused of facilitating large-scale drug deals among several members.

Investigators allege that drugs were smuggled using checked airline baggage and packages sent through the U.S. Postal Service. Methamphetamine and cocaine were reportedly shipped from Los Angeles and San Diego to cities including Akron, Barberton, Mansfield, and Columbus. Some shipments arrived via commercial flights with couriers delivering suitcases directly to an apartment maintained by Gainer in Columbus for further distribution. Authorities say Gainer also recruited others to move drugs and cash between the two states.

Once in Ohio, the group allegedly sold drugs across the state. Ward is accused of purchasing a pill press machine along with over 55 pounds of pill-binding powder for use in producing illicit pills at her home.

The indictment describes several specific incidents connected to the alleged conspiracy. In one case: "Clark texted Villa a photo of large stacks of rubber-banded cash that he intended to use as payment for the drugs." Another incident involved: "Villa also possessed a video showing a person filling a plastic storage container with large bags of white crystalline drugs." In another example: "Clark contacted Martin about a kilogram brick of cocaine that was short by 90 grams. Martin then sent him a photo showing a brick of cocaine stamped with the marking '1000' on a digital scale that displayed a weight of 32.1 ounces, or approximately 910 grams, which is 90 grams short of a kilogram."

A separate event described occurred in April 2024 when: "Gainer asked Dixon to 'drop off some cash in Cali,' meaning, to smuggle cash to their drug supplier in California." On April 20th Dixon traveled from Ohio to California for this purpose; five days later he returned with bulk amounts of cocaine and methamphetamine hidden in his suitcase. Ward picked up Dixon at Cincinnati airport before driving toward Columbus but was stopped by Ohio State Highway Patrol officers for a traffic violation before reaching their destination. During their search officers recovered more than 17 pounds (about 8.8 kilograms) of methamphetamine, two pounds (about one kilogram) of cocaine and a loaded semi-automatic pistol.

In total federal investigators seized over 33 pounds (15 kilograms) of methamphetamine and more than two pounds (one kilogram) of cocaine believed smuggled from California into Ohio via mail or air travel routes during this investigation; multiple firearms linked to the operation were also confiscated.

If convicted each defendant’s sentence will be determined by factors such as prior criminal record—if any—their role within the offense as well as characteristics unique to this case; sentences will not exceed statutory maximums but may be less depending on circumstances.

The investigation was led by DEA Detroit Division’s Cleveland Field Office alongside U.S. Postal Inspection Service’s Cleveland Office—with support from local law enforcement agencies including Cleveland MetroParks Police Department; Summit County Sheriff’s Office; Wayne County MEDWAY Drug Enforcement Agency; Cleveland Heights Police Department; Columbus Division Of Police; and Ohio State Highway Patrol.

Assistant U.S. Attorney James P. Lewis is prosecuting the case for the Northern District Of Ohio.

The prosecution falls under efforts coordinated by Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF), which aims to dismantle high-level criminal organizations threatening national security through multi-agency collaboration led by prosecutors using intelligence-driven strategies.

For additional information about OCDETF see https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF .

Authorities remind that an indictment is only an accusation—not evidence—and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond reasonable doubt at trial.