Major cocaine bust in Lexington, Kentucky: alleged dealer faces federal charges

LEXINGTON, Ky. — A significant drug bust in Lexington, Kentucky, has led to federal charges against Ricardo Amayo-Gonzalez, charged with knowingly and intentionally possessing with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine, a Schedule II controlled substance. The charges were filed Wednesday in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Kentucky (Lexington).

The Investigation

The investigation was led by Matthew Evans, a Task Force Officer with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and a detective with the Lexington Police Department (LPD) in the Narcotics Enforcement Unit (NEU). The investigation culminated in a state search warrant executed on June 8, 2023, at an address on Summa Meadow Drive, Lexington, Fayette County, KY.

The Bust

In a criminal complaint filed Wednesday, Evans writes that upon arrival at the Summa Meadow address, detectives were met by a female and several small children. The residence was cleared, and surveillance was conducted on Ricardo Amayo-Gonzalez in Georgetown, KY. He was detained, read his Miranda Rights in Spanish, and found to have $5,240 in cash on his person.

A search of Amayo-Gonzalez’s black Honda Civic revealed approximately 102 grams of suspected cocaine in individual baggies and $13,959 in cash. Amayo-Gonzalez also informed detectives about narcotics in his closet at the Summa Meadow address.

Seizures

According to the criminal complaint, the search of the residence led to the discovery of:

• Approximately 1,150 grams of suspected cocaine in a grey backpack in the back left bedroom closet
• Approximately 750 grams of suspected cocaine in a coat in the same closet
• Approximately 140 grams of suspected cocaine on the hot water heater
• Approximately 36.5 grams of suspected cocaine in a hair gel container
• Approximately 26 grams of suspected cocaine in a black bag in the back left bedroom closet
• Approximately 37 grams of suspected methamphetamine in a black bag in the same closet
• Multiple sets of digital scales, baggies, plastic wrap, and a possible ledger
• Mexico passports with Ricardo’s information and other IDs with many aliases
• Approximately 4.4 grams of suspected cocaine under the driver’s seat of a grey Honda Pilot parked in the driveway

Confession and Conclusion

Amayo-Gonzalez allegedly confessed to selling cocaine since December 2022, with each kilogram to be sold for $25,000 and each ounce for $1,000. He stated that he sold cocaine at bars in Lexington.

The evidence, including approximately 2,208.9 grams of suspected cocaine, 37 grams of suspected methamphetamine, $46,199 in cash, and various drug paraphernalia, led to the agent’s conclusion that these items were consistent with distribution rather than personal use.

Amayo-Gonzalez’s first court appearances will be scheduled later this week.