Alex Soto has managed to elude authorities for more than three years. He’s wanted for conspiracy to distribute more than five kilograms of cocaine and 100 kilograms of marijuana.
For months, federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies in North Carolina joined forces to bust a Mexico-based drug cartel that had smaller distribution cells in the Wayne County areas of Goldsboro and Mount Olive. Authorities say Soto, along with a co-conspirator named Arnulfo Ramirez, was coordinating with a lawyer in Mexico, Alfredo Granados-Garcia, to bring multi-kilo quantities of cocaine and marijuana into the U.S. on a regular basis. After wire taps and even witnessing deals made to third party clients, authorities gathered enough evidence to obtain arrest warrants.
On June 10, 2004, authorities executed their plan to take down some of the main players of this organization, including Soto, Garcia and Ramirez, during a sting called “Operation Gold Rush.” But during the round-up, Alex Soto managed to escape custody. After being placed in a police vehicle, he wriggled out of his handcuffs, exited the car and took off on foot. This is the last time Soto has reportedly been seen in the Wayne County area.
Authorities believe Soto could be living under the name “Aaron Arellano,” “Fernando Arana” or “Chino.”
If you have information on this case, call NC WANTED toll free at 1.866.43.WANTED or click on "Report a Tip." Your information will be kept confidential.
Wanted For:
Conspiracy to distribute more than 5 kilograms of cocaine and 100 kilograms of marijuana
Profile:
Sex: Male
Ethnicity: Hispanic
Age now: 28
Height: 5’
Weight: 140 lbs.
Hair: Black
Eyes: Brown
Aliases: Aaron Arellano, Fernando Arana, Chino
Last Seen:
Investigators received word that Soto was last spotted in Morelia in the Mexican state of Michoacan.
Possible Locations:
Goldsboro, NC Mount Olive, NC Michoacan, Mexico
