A federal grand jury indicted 13 men and women on drug trafficking or money laundering charges after authorities seized more than 250 pounds of methamphetamine in what prosecutors said was the largest drug bust of its kind in Kentucky, the U.S. Department of Justice announced on Oct. 20.

Prosecutors said the defendants were part of a drug trafficking network that operated between California and Kentucky.

“This case begins with one package,” U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Kentucky Kyle Bumgarner said during a press conference on Tuesday.

The package was intercepted by a postal inspector in September 2025 after it was sent from Los Angeles to Louisville, Kentucky.

It allegedly had 7.2 pounds of methamphetamine inside, Bumgarner said.

The package led authorities to Zelos Fields, 55, and Chaucey Ransom, 62, both of California, who were charged in May with one count of conspiring to possess with the intent to distribute 500 grams of meth.

The complaint alleges Fields flew from California to Louisville in March and arrived at a property rented by Ransom with five duffle bags.

“Inside of those five duffle bags was 257 pounds of methamphetamine,” Bumgarner said.

Investigators in Operation Cold Route seized 300 pounds of methamphetamine, 10 guns, and a boat, authorities said. (U.S. DOJ)

The bust prompted federal, state, and local agencies to launch Operation Cold Route, a multi-state investigation into the drug trafficking ring.

Authorities said more than 250 pounds of the drug was seized, along with 10 guns, $25,000 cash, and a boat.

“These drugs do not operate within the boundaries of a single jurisdiction, and our investigations cannot stop at those boundaries,” Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Special Agent Bruce Passmore said during the press conference.

Investigators allege the money was sent back to Los Angeles through money apps, including Zelle and bank wires.

Five suspects were indicted on drug charges, and eight were charged on suspicion of money laundering.

Fields and Ransom picked up one additional drug charge each.

Charles Taylor, 53, of California, and Austin Redd, 29, of Louisville, were also charged with one count of conspiring to sell 50 grams or more of meth.

Meshaun Swan, 26, of Louisville, was charged with one count of selling meth.

The U.S. District Courthouse for the Eastern District of Virginia in Alexandria, Va., on April 29, 2026. (Andrew Leyden/Getty Images)

Charles Taylor and Demond Jackson, 54, of California; Dariecea Brock, 28, of Louisville; Iecia Taylor, 28, of Louisville; Raeshonda Presley, 33, of Louisville; Ebony Manson, 44, of California; Laquisha Beals, 32, of Louisville; Lajean Guess, 56, of California; and Kimberly Sowells, 45, of California, were charged with money laundering conspiracy.

If convicted of the second offenses, Fields and Ransom face minimum penalties of 15 years in prison.

Charles Taylor, Redd, and Swan face minimum penalties of 10 years in prison.

Jackson, Brock, Iecia Taylor, Presley, Manson, Beals, Guess, and Sowells face maximum penalties of 20 years in prison.

The federal system doesn’t have parole.

The defendants’ public defenders at the Western Kentucky Federal Community Defender didn’t immediately return a request for comment.