Nine defendants were indicted on numerous drug trafficking charges related to the seizure of 43 kilograms of cocaine
Baltimore, Md. (November 25, 2025) – Today, State’s Attorney Ivan J. Bates was joined by Baltimore County State’s Attorney Scott Shellenberger, Baltimore City Sheriff Sam Cogen, Christopher C. Goumenis, Special Agent in Charge of DEA Washington Division, Baltimore Police Commissioner Richard Worley, Baltimore County Police Chief Robert O. McCullough, and Jeff Beeson, Executive Director of Washington/Baltimore HIDTA to announce the takedown of a Drug Trafficking Organization operating between Texas and Maryland to import and distribute cocaine. An individual charged by indictment is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty at trial.
“Drug Trafficking Organizations like this one wreak havoc on our communities by fostering an environment filled with danger and anxiety, ultimately degrading the quality of life for our residents. These organizations lead to increased crime rates, addiction issues, and a decline in overall living conditions for those in affected neighborhoods,” said State’s Attorney Ivan J. Bates. “I want to take this opportunity to express my deep gratitude to my Major Investigations Unit for their strategic and relentless efforts, as well as to the professionals at the Baltimore County State’s Attorney’s Office. Additionally, I commend the amazing work of the Baltimore County Police Department Narcotics Unit, the dedicated members of the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Baltimore Police Department, the Baltimore City Sheriff’s Office, the Maryland Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services, and the Washington/Baltimore HIDTA. Their collaborative work has been crucial in dismantling this harmful network and restoring a sense of safety and security within our communities.”
Beginning in January 2025, detectives with the Baltimore County Police Department’s Narcotics Unit commenced an investigation into a group of individuals that they believed were importing large amounts of cocaine from Texas into Maryland. As the investigation progressed, they identified several members of what they believed to be an ongoing narcotics trafficking conspiracy, including Benjamin Rivas Lopez, Santos Ayala Serrano, Brayan Juarez Cruz, Pablo Abelardo Molina, Fredy Lopez Chinchilla, Gerson Tabora Chinchilla, Hamilton Cha Pacay, German Aguilar Mencias, and Elvin Ayala Paz.
“Criminals know no boundaries, and neither should we. I want to thank all Law Enforcement involved, and I will continue to work with my partner in fighting crime, State’s Attorney Ivan Bates”, said Baltimore County State’s Attorney Scott Shellenberger.
Detectives also found that the organization was using multiple residences as narcotic stash locations, including an apartment in southeast Baltimore City and another home in Baltimore County. Through several investigative techniques, detectives developed a pattern for the organization that led them to believe a new shipment of narcotics was going to arrive at the identified stash location in Baltimore City around October 2, 2025. They obtained search-and-seizure warrants for the stash locations, as well as multiple vehicles that they believed were being used by members of the organization to facilitate their narcotics trafficking.
“Marylanders are witnessing firsthand the effects of both local and international drug trafficking networks that are infiltrating their communities with violence and distributing dangerous drugs such as cocaine, and counterfeit pills laced with fentanyl, methamphetamine, and other illegal substances,” said Christopher C. Goumenis, Special Agent in Charge for DEA Washington Division. “The operation highlighted today is a great example of our partnership with local and state law enforcement partners, and a testament of our collective compromise to safe and protect the American citizens. As you can see, we are using everything tool and resource at our disposal to eliminate major law violators and their organizations, and laying the groundwork for a brighter, more resilient future for Baltimore and its surrounding areas.”
After tracking vehicles being driven by defendant Molina and defendant Lopez from Houston, Texas, to Baltimore City, detectives monitored the narcotics stash location. They watched as Molina, Lopez, Cruz, and Serrano carried multiple large pieces of luggage into the apartment.
“This investigation and subsequent arrests demonstrate the exceptional work being done by detectives assigned to the Baltimore County Police Department’s Vice/Narcotics Section,” said Baltimore County Police Chief Robert O. McCullough. “Through their unwavering dedication and strong partnerships with local and federal agencies, these detectives are making communities across the region safer and saving lives.”
Detectives then immediately executed the search-and-seizure warrant at the location and recovered a total of approximately 43 kilograms of cocaine and a bolt-action .22 caliber rifle. This volume of cocaine has an approximate street value of $4 million.
Benjamin Rivas Lopez, Santos Ayala Serrano, Brayan Juarez Cruz, and Pablo Abelardo Molina were all arrested on scene and have since been indicted in relation to the contraband recovered from the apartment. Assistant State’s Attorneys Megan Greene and David Wiseman will prosecute these cases.
Simultaneously, as the apartment was searched, detectives also executed search-and-seizure warrants on another narcotics stash location in Baltimore County, along with several vehicles that were being driven by members of the organization, including Hamilton Cha Pacay, German Aguilar Mencias, and Gerson Tabora Chinchilla. As a result, investigators seized a total of approximately 360 grams of cocaine, $5,921 U.S. currency, and a loaded Ruger .22 caliber rifle.
In addition to the Baltimore County Police Department, the following agencies assisted in the execution of the search-and-seizure warrants on October 2, 2025:
Baltimore Police Department
Baltimore City Sheriff’s Office
Drug Enforcement Administration
Maryland Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services
Washington/Baltimore High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA)
“This operation shows the strength of coordinated law enforcement agencies. The Sheriff’s Office will continue to work with our partners to ensure the safety of our residents. This multi-state collaboration stopped a steady flow of narcotics into our city and demonstrates our shared commitment to public safety,” said Sam Cogen, Baltimore City Sheriff.
As a result of the contraband seized, Hamilton Cha Pacay, German Aguilar Mencias, Gerson Tabora Chinchilla, Elvin Ayala Paz, Brayan Juarez Cruz, and Fredy Lopez Chinchilla have been indicted in Baltimore County. Assistant State’s Attorneys Katherine Turnbull and Katherine Smith from the Baltimore County State’s Attorney’s Office will be prosecuting these cases.
“I’m proud of the role the Baltimore Police Department played in supporting our partners in this case and our shared commitment to dismantling drug trafficking organizations,” said Baltimore Police Commissioner Richard Worley. “This investigation demonstrates what is possible when multiple agencies come together with a shared goal of creating safer communities. Collaborations like this are essential to protecting our residents, building trust in our communities, and strengthening public safety across our city.”