Homeland Security Task Force investigation leads to arrest of uncle & nephew, seizure of more than 80 kilograms of suspected cocaine

CINCINNATI – Two Southwest Ohio relatives were arrested by federal agents for allegedly conducting large-scale cocaine trafficking. Damian Galan, 31, of Cincinnati, and Diego Galan, 19, of Fairfield, will appear in federal court today for initial appearances. According to charging documents, the DEA Cincinnati District Office, the Cincinnati Police Department and other agencies within the Cincinnati Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) received information regarding the Galans’ potential drug trafficking throughout the Southern District of Ohio and elsewhere. Surveillance of the men, as well as 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 Hispanic males staying at the hotel. The storage containers were placed in the trunk and backseat of 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. They discovered four kilograms of suspected cocaine and a firearm at Damian Galan’s home. The search of Diego Galan’s residence recovered the storage bins – which contained 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.