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Austin police seeking suspects in K2 distribution investigation

Police are seeking a number of suspects who have federal warrants for conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute synthetic cannabinoids.

AUSTIN, Texas — On Jan. 2, a total of six people were federally indicted for conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute synthetic cannabinoids (K2). While at least three of those are now in custody, the Austin Police Department is still seeking other suspects.

Estevan Arriaga and Kristi Rivera are in the custody of the U.S. Marshals, and Sean Yadon is currently in the Travis County Jail. The remaining suspects are Amando Ramirez, Christopher Elizondo and Paul Rodriguez.

Credit: Austin Police Department

Police said they received a tip in November 2017 about a group that was dealing large amounts of K2 in the Austin area. That person stated the suspects were going to Houston to pick up the synthetic drugs to bring back to Austin for distribution. Police later identified several suspects after launching an investigation.

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The APD's Organized Crime Division Narcotics Conspiracy Team and the DEA Tactical Diversion Squad worked with the Houston Police Department Kush Task Force, conducting surveillance on the suspects as they traveled back to Austin. Austin officers then issued a felony car stop on the vehicle, taking four suspects into custody.

After conducting a probable cause search, police found 74.32 kilos of K2 in multiple trash bags. Police said this represents 222,960 individual doses of K2 with a street value of $1,114,800.

Anyone with more information about this case, or similar cases, is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 512-472-TIPS.

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