Meth found in car leads to sting, indictment

Two Wichita men are facing federal charges for allegedly trying to smuggle more than 22 pounds of meth into the city.

Hector Daniel Vazquez, 26, and Pedro Ruben Garibay, 28, were each indicted Tuesday on one count of possession with the intent to distribute methamphetamine, Acting U.S. Attorney Tom Beall said.

Prosecutors say a Clark County sheriff’s deputy found a .40-caliber pistol and a black gym bag with the drugs after the pair were stopped in a Volkswagen Jetta in Minneola on Aug. 12. Investigators set up a sting operation at a Super 8 Motel in Wichita after learning that the drugs were supposed to be delivered to buyers there. Vazquez and Garibay were arrested when they arrived, Beall said.

If convicted, each man could go to federal prison for up to 20 years and be subject to a fine of up to $1 million.

In other drug-related indictments Tuesday:

▪ Bill L. Miller, 56, and Tjay B. Miller, 28, of Wichita each are charged with one count of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine for crimes that occurred in Wichita in 2015 and 2016. The younger Miller also is facing firearms charges and a second count of meth possession with distribution to intent.

▪ Angelica M. Mendoza-Lopez, 37, of Wichita, is charged with one count of possession with the intent to distribute methamphetamine on July 16 in Sedgwick County.

This story was originally published August 16, 2016 at 3:01 PM with the headline "Meth found in car leads to sting, indictment."