Four Men Arrested in Wayne County for Cocaine Trafficking

Authorities demonstrating the findings of a cocaine trafficking investigation in Wayne County.

News Summary

Authorities in Wayne County, Michigan, have arrested four men linked to a significant cocaine trafficking operation. The suspects were allegedly planning to sell nearly ten pounds of cocaine, leading to serious charges including possession with intent to distribute and carrying firearms during the operation. The DEA’s investigation, initiated by a tip-off, revealed the suspects’ attempts to negotiate a deal centered around the illicit drug’s sale. The case highlights ongoing challenges in addressing drug-related crimes in the area.

Four Men Arrested in Wayne County Following Major Cocaine Trafficking Investigation

Wayne County, Michigan

In a dramatic turn of events in Wayne County, Michigan, authorities recently arrested four individuals suspected of being heavily involved in cocaine trafficking. The men are believed to have been plotting to sell nearly a whopping 10 pounds of the illicit drug. The suspects are Gustavo Placencia Rosales, Jesus Manuel Quinones Gutierrez, Emanuel Rivera Santiago, and Carlos Luis Ortiz. All four now face serious charges including possession with the intent to distribute a controlled substance, and for using or carrying firearms during the drug trafficking operation.

The investigation, which was spearheaded by the DEA, started to focus on Placencia Rosales when a confidential informant tipped off authorities. The informant revealed that Rosales had volunteered to connect them with parties interested in purchasing five kilograms of cocaine. This exchange took place back in February 2025, showcasing how deeply embedded this operation was in the community.

On February 14, 2025, in a rather striking setup for a drug deal, the informant met with a group of men, including Rosales. The meeting occurred in a white Dodge Ram truck parked in the driveway of a residence in Taylor, Michigan. Within this truck, the informant was shown multiple kilograms of what was suspected to be cocaine—and the packaging was certainly eye-catching. It featured horror film characters like Chucky and Jason Voorhees, making it a peculiar sight for a drug transaction.

The informant was quoted at a price of $18,000 per kilogram of the substance and was instructed to return the following morning to finalize the purchase. This led to a well-coordinated operation by the DEA. On February 15, the DEA agents set up surveillance at the same Taylor address. They observed a black BMW X5, linked to Emanuel Rivera Santiago, arriving to partake in the suspicious transaction.

At about 9:48 a.m., things began to grow tense when Rosales confirmed via phone that the deal was going ahead as planned. Just moments later, Rosales was seen exiting the home and climbing into the BMW with a pink bag in hand. The informant cleverly requested a video call, confirming the drugs were indeed present in the vehicle. During this call, Rosales even revealed several bricks alongside the mysterious pink bag.

As soon as the BMW left the driveway, it made its way to a nearby Home Depot where it caught the attention of law enforcement, prompting a traffic stop around 10:18 a.m. When questioned by the police, Santiago disclosed the presence of an unloaded handgun in the vehicle, which was fortunately registered in his name. The tension escalated quickly as Rosales, as well as Gutierrez and Ortiz, were arrested from the car. A loaded gun was found on Ortiz, also registered to him.

Thanks to the informant’s timely identification, all four men were linked to the drug negotiations. A keen-eyed K9 unit alerted authorities to the pink bag in the BMW. Inside, they discovered four brick-shaped packages, weighing a total of 4,408.2 grams—nearly 10 pounds—of what was confirmed through field tests to be cocaine.

Further digging into Rosales’s past revealed more concerning details. In a post-Miranda interview, he admitted to lacking lawful immigration status. It was found out that he had entered the U.S. from Mexico at the tender age of 11, raising questions about his background. To add another layer to the story, investigators uncovered that back in May 2023, Rosales had allegedly sold fentanyl to an informant from another federal agency.

As the story unfolds, the community is left grappling with the repercussions of this major bust in Wayne County. The DEA and local law enforcement are continuing their efforts to combat drug trafficking in the area. This incident serves as a vital reminder of the ongoing challenges faced by authorities in tackling drug-related crimes.