Lubbock Couple Pleads Guilty to Running Drug Ring in Barbecue Business

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A Lubbock couple that was arrested in June of 2020 has pleaded guilty to running a drug ring disguised as their barbecue business.

Back in 2019, the Drug Enforcement Administration began their investigation into a suspected drug trafficking organization in Lubbock. 9 locations total were targeted, and by the end of Operation Los Perros De Nieve, around $40,000 cash, 5 kilograms of cocaine and 13 firearms were seized.

While the investigation was occurring, Raul Perez III and another man, Jeremy Beck, started purchasing equipment to open a business. They visited the location where the movie 'Scarface' was filmed to purchase equipment. A government statement said that the movie is often idolized by cocaine traffickers like Perez and Beck.

Agents observed the business, the Sunshine Smoke House Trailer, during normal operation hours and noted low attendance and low prices. The deposits and withdrawals for the business were determined to be not enough to maintain it with the several employees it had.

KAMC News reports that on June 28th of 2020, an informant purchased over 45 grams of cocaine from Perez and his wife, Krystal Ramos. The couple were arrested for operating a drug ring that was disguised as their business, Smoker and Sunshine Smoke House Trailer. They were only 2 of the 10 people accused of operating the cocaine ring.

Perez faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison, while Ramos' maximum sentence is 3 years.