A woman described as a large-scale ice methamphetamine dealer is facing federal charges.
Hilda Trujillo-Rojas has been ordered to be detained pending the outcome of her case.
Two men who were with her at the time of her arrest were also taken into custody.
Authorities said during the week of March 24, law enforcement identified a cooperating
source in the Chattanooga area who was buying large amounts of ice meth. Agents conducted controlled communications between the CS and "Hilda." At the direction of law enforcement, an arrangement was made between the CS and "Hilda" for the CS to purchase approximately 1.5 pounds (approximately 680 grams) of ice methamphetamine from "Hilda."
On March 28, in anticipation of the methamphetamine delivery, surveillance was established on the pre-arranged meeting location in Chattanooga. Agents observed an individual fitting the physical description of"Hilda" arrive at the location, at which time agents approached and detained her.
A search of her vehicle resulted in the seizure of approximately 1.5 pounds of a crystalline substance, which field-tested positive for methamphetamine.
Ms. Rojas-Trujillo declined to make a statement to law enforcement.
While she was being arrested, a vehicle with Georgia tags occupied by two men was observed slowly driving by the meeting location. Once the scene was cleared, the vehicle returned to the meeting location, slowed down, and the occupants appeared to look around the scene. Suspicion aroused, agents stopped the car and received permission to search it. Nunchucks were found inside the vehicle.
Curtis Ross Steele (driver) and Yerhel A. Caballero-Mejia (passenger), were taken into custody. Steele acknowledged that he has known Ms. Trujillo-Rojas most of his life and that she approached him and asked him to follow her while she made a drug delivery to Chattanooga. Both Steele and Caballero-Mejia stated that they were aware that Ms. Trujillo-Rojas was transporting methamphetamine and that she had agreed to pay them each $500 to follow her and provide security as needed, with payment to be made after delivery.
Agents said among their directives were to intervene if law enforcement began following Ms. Trujillo-Rojas by speeding or performing some other traffic infraction to distract law enforcement from her.
Law enforcement checked the call history of Caballero-Mejia's cell phone and found recent calls between it and Ms. Trujillo-Rojas' cell phone.
Ms. Trujillo-Rojas was charged with knowingly possessing with the intent to distribute more than 500 grams of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of methamphetamine, Schedule II controlled substance.