Suspect in Drug Ring Case Ordered Held Without Bail

A suspect in a narcotics trafficking ring with reputed ties to the murder of U.S. drug agent Enrique S. Camarena was ordered held without bail Tuesday, overturning an earlier ruling by a U.S. magistrate freeing him on $200,000 bond.

U.S. District Judge Edward Rafeedie rejected arguments that Ricardo Garcia, indicted with seven other Mexican nationals on narcotics trafficking charges, poses no flight risk because of his strong family and business ties in Los Angeles.

Government prosecutors say Garcia purchased more than 100 weapons between 1983 and 1986, including Uzi rifles and AR-15 assault weapons, some of which went to alleged leaders of the narcotics ring. Garcia’s attorney, Dominick Rubalcava, argued that the weapons were purchased as gifts. Rafeedie said that claim “defies credibility.”

Assistant U.S. Atty. Jimmy Gurule said a federal grand jury is investigating “at a feverish pace” possible connections between members of the ring and the murder of Camarena in Mexico in 1985.