Kalie Strain
Northeast News

Eleven people have been charged in a 22-count indictment in Kansas City with charges that include conspiracy to distribute 150 kilograms of methamphetamine and 10 kilograms of heroin, worth potentially $1.7 million, and possession of illegal firearms.

Northeast Kansas City resident, Daniel J. Ruiz, 35, who is confined to a wheelchair, is included in this indictment. He potentially faces life in prison as well as $10 million fine, according to court documents.

A combined investigation between the Drug Enforcement Administration and the KCMO Police Department began in 2018.

On Dec. 2, 2019, officers issued a warrant to search Ruiz’s home after they arrested Richard D. Saettone II, 39, in his front yard. The search of Ruiz’s home found more than 1000 grams of methamphetamine buried inside a metal trash can and several firearms inside a safe in a backroom, which included several different types of guns and a WWII era gas grenade.

This was the third search of Ruiz’ residence that resulted in Ruiz being taken into custody because methamphetamine was found inside his home.

On Feb. 22, 2019, a search warrant to Ruiz’s home was served. In the home police found 47 firearms, $66,000 and more than 3,000 grams of methamphetamine. Ruiz denied knowledge of the drugs. He said they belonged to Kamel M. Elburki, 35, one of the other defendants in the 11-person indictment, who Ruiz said had been living in his residence.

Ruiz’s residence was searched once again on Oct. 23, 2019 after an undercover officer delivered a package containing 5lbs of marijuana that had been addressed to Ruiz’s home with the name of Jose Vasquez. Ruiz identified himself as Jose to the undercover officer and was taken into custody. 

Missouri Western Interdiction and Narcotics Task Force (MOWIN) had been conducting checks at a mail delivery facility when they noticed a suspicious package. A detection K-9 alerted to the package, which resulted in a search.

After officers took Ruiz into custody, they searched his home and found 21 firearms and more than 600 grams of methamphetamine.

A trial date for Ruiz and the 10 other people being indicted has not been released.