Three Alleged Methamphetamine Traffickers Charged

April 14, 2010 - Luis Melchor, age 29, from Aurora, Colorado, and Nolberto Naranjo, Jr., age 23, and Ferid Nadarevic, age 38, both from Waterloo, Iowa, have been charged in an indictment with drug conspiracy, distribution of methamphetamine, and possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. The charges are contained in an indictment filed on April 2, 2010, in United States District Court in Cedar Rapids.

The indictment alleges that, from January 2008 through April 2, 2010, Melchor, Naranjo, and Nadarevic conspired to distribute methamphetamine in the Waterloo area. The indictment also charges two counts of distribution of more than 50 grams of pure methamphetamine and the possession with intent to distribute approximately 2.64 kilograms (approximately 5.8 pounds) of methamphetamine.

If convicted on all counts, each man faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years’ imprisonment and a possible maximum sentence of life imprisonment, a $4,000,000 fine, and five years up to life on supervised release.

Nadarevic appeared on April 9, 2010, in federal court in Cedar Rapids and was held without bond. Nadarevic’s next appearance for trial is set for June 7, 2010.

Melchor appeared on April 9, 2010, in federal court in Denver, Colorado and was held without bond. Melchor will be transported to Iowa for further proceedings.

Naranjo is a fugitive. Law enforcement is seeking the public’s assistance in finding and arresting Naranjo. Any person having information should contact the U.S. Marshals Service at (319) 362-4411. A photo of Naranjo is below and also available at http://www.justice.gov/usao/ian/press/April_10/4_13_10_Melchor_Nadarevic_Naranjo.html.

As with any criminal case, a charge is merely an accusation and a defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Patrick J. Reinert and was investigated by the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) program of the United States Department of Justice through a cooperative effort of the Tri-County Drug Task Force, Cedar Rapids DEA Task Force, United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Internal Revenue Service, and Federal Bureau of Investigation. The Tri-County Drug Task Force is composed of the Waterloo Police Department, Cedar Falls Police Department, Waverly Police Department, Bremer County Sheriff’s Office, Black Hawk County Sheriff’s Office, LaPorte City Police Department, Evansdale Police Department, Hudson Police Department, and Federal Bureau of Investigation. The Cedar Rapids Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Task Force consists of the DEA; Linn County Sheriff's Office; Cedar Rapids Police Department; Marion Police Department; Iowa City Police Department; Clinton Police Department; Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement; Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives; Sixth Judicial District Department of Correctional Services; and Iowa National Guard.

Court file information is available at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl. The case file number is 10-2014.