Victorville Man Identified as Suspect in Nationwide Drug Trafficking Ring; Diamond Lynch Identified as Victim

A man from Victorville has been identified as one of many suspects involved in a drug trafficking ring across the United States, according to the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). The suspect, Giovani Alejandro Briones, aged 29, is believed to have conspired to distribute approximately 400 grams of fentanyl and commit international money laundering.

DEA agents suspect that Briones and his associates were responsible for smuggling thousands of counterfeit Oxycodone pills, known as M30, from California to Washington, D.C. The investigation was initiated after a woman in Washington, D.C. died from consuming one of these pills. The victim, Diamond Lynch, was later identified.

Court records suggest that this extensive drug trafficking operation began operating in August 2020 and spanned across various states, including California, Virginia, Maryland, Tennessee, and the District of Columbia.

Alongside the arrests, law enforcement officials seized over a million fentanyl pills, 15 pounds of fentanyl powder, and 30 firearms. DEA Administrator Anne Milgram stated that the agency will continue to dismantle the global fentanyl supply chain in order to seek justice for the countless American lives lost to this dangerous drug.

The defendants involved in the case include Trayveon James Johnson, Karon Olufemi Blalock, Ronte Ricardo Greene, Melvin Edward Allen Jr., Darius Quincy Hodges, Lamin Sesay, Paul Alejandro Felix, Omar Arana, Edgar Balderas Jr., Raul Pacheco Ramirez, and Giovani Alejandro Briones.

U.S. Attorney Matthew Graves emphasized the commitment of his office to hold those involved in drug trafficking accountable. He stated, “Our office is tirelessly working to prosecute those who distribute poison in our community. Being part of a trafficking network like the one allegedly operated by these defendants will undoubtedly subject you to a federal investigation.”

The DEA’s efforts to dismantle this drug trafficking ring reflect their dedication to combating the devastating impact of fentanyl on American society.